Modulators of the glucocorticoid receptor, AP-1, and/or NF-kB activity and use thereof

ABSTRACT

A class of novel non-steroidal compounds are provided which are useful in treating diseases associated with modulation of the glucocorticoid receptor, AP-1, and/or NF-κB activity including obesity, diabetes, inflammatory and immune diseases, and have the structure of formula (I) or (II):  
                 
 
including a stereoisomer thereof, a tautomer thereof, a prodrug thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, where Q is selected from N, O, and S; Y is aryl or heteroaryl; Z is H, C 2-6 alkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, halo, or alkoxy; and A, B, R, R a , R b , R c  and R d  are defined herein. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions and methods of treating obesity, diabetes and inflammatory or immune associated diseases comprising said compounds.

This application claims the benefit of priority from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/643,463, filed Jan. 13, 2005, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a class of new non-steroidal compounds which are particularly effective modulators of the glucocorticoid receptor, AP-1, and/or NF-κB activity and thus are useful in treating diseases such as obesity, diabetes and inflammatory or immune associated diseases, and to a method for using such compounds to treat these and related diseases.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The transcription factors NF-κB and AP-1 are involved in regulating the expression of a number of genes involved in mediating inflammatory and immune responses. NF-κB regulates the transcription of genes including TNF-α, IL-1, IL-2, IL-6, adhesion molecules (such as E-selectin) and chemokines (such as Rantes), among others. AP-1 regulates the production of the cytokines TNF-α, IL-1, IL-2, as well as, matrix metalloproteases. Drug therapies targeting TNF-α, a gene whose expression is regulated by both NF-κB and AP-1, have been shown to be highly efficacious in several inflammatory human diseases including rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn's disease. Accordingly, NF-κB and AP-1 play key roles in the initiation and perpetuation of inflammatory and immunological disorders. See Baldwin, A S, Journal of Clin. Investigation, 107, 3 (2001); Firestein, G. S., and Manning, A. M., Arthritis and Rheumatism, 42, 609 (1999); and Peltz, G., Curr. Opin, in Biotech. 8, 467 (1997).

There are many signaling molecules (kinases and phosphatases) upstream of AP-1 and NF-κB which are potential therapeutic drug targets. The kinase JNK plays an essential role in regulating the phosphorylation and subsequent activation of c-jun, one of the subunits which constitute the AP-1 complex (fos/c-jun). Compounds which inhibit JNK have been shown to be efficacious in animal models of inflammatory disease. See Manning A M and Davis R J, Nature Rev. Drug Disc., V. 2, 554 (2003). A kinase critical to the activation of NF-κB is the IκB kinase (IKK). This kinase plays a key role in the phosphorylation of IκB. Once IκB is phosphorylated it undergoes degradation leading to the release of NF-κB which can translocate into the nucleus and activate the transcription of the genes described above. An inhibitor of IKK, BMS-345541, has been shown to be efficacious in animal models of inflammatory disease. See Burke JR., Curr Opin Drug Discov Devel., September;6(5), 720-8, (2003).

In addition to inhibiting signaling cascades involved in the activation of NF-κB and AP-1, the glucocorticoid receptor has been shown to inhibit the activity of NF-κB and AP-1 via direct physical interactions. The glucocorticoid receptor (GR) is a member of the nuclear hormone receptor family of transcription factors, and a member of the steroid hormone family of transcription factors. Affinity labeling of the glucocorticoid receptor protein allowed the production of antibodies against the receptor which facilitated cloning the glucocorticoid receptors. For results in humans seeweinberger, et al., Science 228, 640-742, (1985); Weinberger, et al., Nature, 318, 670-672 (1986) and for results in rats see Miesfeld, R., Nature, 312, 779-781, (1985).

Glucocorticoids which interact with GR have been used for over 50 years to treat inflammatory diseases. It has been clearly shown that glucocorticoids exert their anti-inflammatory activity via the inhibition by GR of the transcription factors NF-κB and AP-1. This inhibition is termed transrepression. It has been shown that the primary mechanism for inhibition of these transcription factors by GR is via a direct physical interaction. This interaction alters the transcription factor complex and inhibits the ability of NF-κB and AP-1 to stimulate transcription. See Jonat, C., et al., Cell, 62, 1189 (1990); Yang-Yen, H. F., et al,. Cell, 62, 1205 (1990); Diamond, M. I. et al., Science 249, 1266 (1990); and Caldenhoven, E. et al., Mol. Endocrinol., 9, 401 (1995). Other mechanisms such as sequestration of co-activators by GR have also been proposed. See Kamer Y, et al., Cell, 85, 403 (1996); and Chakravarti, D. et al., Nature, 383, 99 (1996).

In addition to causing transrepression, the interaction of a glucocorticoid with GR can cause GR to induce transcription of certain genes. This induction of transcription is termed transactivation. Transactivation requires dimerization of GR and binding to a glucocorticoid response element (GRE).

Recent studies using a transgenic GR dimerization defective mouse which cannot bind DNA have shown that the transactivation (DNA binding) activities of GR could be separated from the transrepressive (non-DNA binding) effect of GR. These studies also indicate that many of the side effects of glucocorticoid therapy are due to the ability of GR to induce transcription of various genes involved in metabolism, whereas, transrepression, which does not require DNA binding leads to suppression of inflammation. See Tuckermann, J. et al., Cell, 93, 531 (1998) and Reichardt, H M, EMBO J., 20, 7168 (2001).

PCT application WO 2004/009017 published Jan. 29, 2004, assigned to Applicant and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, describes substituted bicyclooctane compounds useful in treating diseases such as obesity, diabetes and inflammatory or immune associated diseases.

Compounds that modulate AP-1 and/or NFκB activity would be useful as such compounds would be useful in the treatment of inflammatory and immune diseases and disorders such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, asthma, inflammatory bowel disease, transplant rejection and graft vs. host disease.

Also, with respect to the glucocorticoid receptor pathway, it is known that glucocorticoids are potent anti-inflammatory agents, however their systemic use is limited by side effects. Compounds that retain the anti-inflammatory efficacy of glucocorticoids while minimizing the side effects such as diabetes, osteoporosis and glaucoma would be of great benefit to a very large number of patients with inflammatory diseases.

Additionally concerning GR, the art is in need of compounds that antagonize transactivation. Such compounds may be useful in treating metabolic diseases associated with increased levels of glucocorticoid, such as diabetes, osteoporosis and glaucoma.

Additionally concerning GR, the art is in need of compounds that cause transactivation. Such compounds may be useful in treating metabolic diseases associated with a deficiency in glucocorticoid. Such diseases include Addison's disease.

Also, there is a need for new compounds with improved activity compared with known modulators of GR, AP-1, and/or NF-κB activity. It is also desirable and preferable to find compounds with advantageous and improved characteristics in one or more categories, which may be, but are not limited to, the following: (a) pharmaceutical properties; (b) dosage requirements; (c) factors which decrease blood concentration peak-to-trough characteristics; (d) factors that increase the concentration of active drug at the receptor; (e) factors that decrease the liability for clinical drug-drug interactions; (f) factors that decrease the potential for adverse side-effects; (g) factors that improve manufacturing costs or feasibility and (h) factors leading to desirable physical characteristics, including, for example, a desirable balance of hydrophilic and lipophilic properties.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a class of new non-steroidal compounds which are particularly effective modulators of the glucocorticoid receptor, AP-1, and/or NF-κB activity and thus are useful in treating diseases such as obesity, diabetes and inflammatory or immune associated diseases. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions and methods of treating obesity, diabetes and inflammatory or immune associated diseases.

In accordance with the present invention, compounds are provided having the structure of formula I or II:

including stereoisomers thereof, tautomers thereof, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein:

Q is selected from N, O, and S;

Y is aryl or heteroaryl;

Z is H, C₂₋₆alkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, halo, or alkoxy;

R is hydrogen, amino, substituted amino, cyano, hydroxy, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkoxy, aryl, arylalkyl, aryloxy, heteroaryl, cycloheteroalkyl, heteroarylalkyl, cycloheteroalkylalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, cyanoalkyl, aminoalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, aryloxyalkyl, or hydroxyaryl;

R¹ is hydrogen or C₁₋₄alkyl;

R² is hydrogen, halogen, hydroxy, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkoxy, aryl, aryloxy, heteroaryl, cycloheteroalkyl, heteroarylalkyl, cycloheteroalkylalkyl, cyano, heteroarylaminocarboyl, cycloheteroalkylcarbonyl, cyanoalkyl, alkylaminoalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, hydroxyaryl, aryloxyalkyl, nitro, NR^(e)R^(f), CHO, CO₂ alkyl, hydroxyaryl, aryloxyalkyl, CONR^(e)R^(f), CH₂NR^(e)R^(f), CO₂H, CH₂OH, CH₂NHC(O)R^(e)R^(f), NHCO^(g), NHCONR^(e)R^(f), NHSO_(p)R^(g), —SO₂NR^(e)R^(f), NR^(e)SO₂NR^(e)R^(f), or NR^(e)SO_(p)R^(g);

R^(a) is hydrogen, halogen, hydroxy, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkoxy, aryl, aryloxy, heteroaryl, cycloheteroalkyl, heteroarylalkyl, cycloheteroalkylalkyl, cyano, heteroarylaminocarboyl, cycloheteroalkylcarbonyl, cyanoalkyl, alkylaminoalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, hydroxyaryl, aryloxyalkyl, alkyloxyalkyl, nitro, NR^(e)R^(f), CHO, CO₂ alkyl, hydroxyaryl, aryloxyalkyl, CONR^(e)R^(f), CH₂NR^(e)R^(f), CO₂H, CH₂OH, CH₂NR^(e)R^(f), NHCOR^(g), NHCONR^(e)R^(f) or NHSO₂R^(g);

R^(b) is hydrogen, halogen, hydroxy, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkoxy, aryl, aryloxy, heteroaryl, cycloheteroalkyl, heteroarylalkyl, cycloheteroalkylalkyl, cyano, heteroarylaminocarbonyl, cycloheteroalkylcarbonyl, cyanoalkyl, alkylaminoalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, hydroxyaryl, aryloxyalkyl, alkyloxyalkyl, nitro, NR^(e)R^(f), CHO, CO₂ alkyl, hydroxyaryl, aryloxyalkyl, CONR^(e)R^(f), CH₂NR^(e)R^(f), CO₂H, CH₂OH, CH₂NR^(e)R^(f), NHCOR^(g), NHCONR^(e)R^(f) or NHSO₂R^(g);

R^(c) and R^(d) are independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkoxy, NR^(e)R^(f), aryl, hydroxy, aryloxy, heteroaryl, cycloheteroalkyl, heteroarylalkyl, cycloheteroalkylalkyl, hydroxyaryl, and aryloxyalkyl;

R^(e) and R^(f) are independently selected from hydrogen, aryl, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkoxy, amino, substituted amino, alkoxyalkyl, alkylaminoalkyl, dialkylaminoalkyl, heteroaryl, cycloheteroalkyl, heteroarylalkyl, cycloheteroalkylalkyl, cycloalkyl, and cycloalkylalkyl, provided R^(e) and R^(f) are not both alkoxy or amino;

or R^(e) and R^(f) can be taken together with the nitrogen to which they are attached to form a 5-, 6- or 7-membered heteroaryl or cycloheteroalkyl ring which contains 1, 2 or 3 hetero atoms which can be N, O or S;

R^(g) is selected from hydrogen, aryl, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkoxy, amino, substituted amino, alkoxyalkyl, alkylaminoalkyl, dialkylaminoalkyl, heteroaryl, cycloheteroalkyl, heteroarylalkyl, cycloheteroalkylalkyl, cycloalkyl and cycloalkylalkyl;

the A ring represents a saturated, partially saturated or unsaturated 6-membered carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring; and

the B ring represents a saturated, partially saturated or unsaturated 6-membered carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring.

Whether or not specifically listed, all preferred compounds described herein include a prodrugs thereof or a solvates thereof, as well as stereoisomers thereof, tautomers thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. Preferred compounds include those compounds described in paragraphs numbered 1-16, found immediately below.

1. Compounds within the scope of formula I or II, as defmed above, stereoisomers thereof, tautomers thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein the A ring has the structure

and the B ring has the structure

wherein X₁, X₂, X₃ and X₄, are independently selected from CH, CH₂, CHR¹⁵, CR¹⁶, CR¹⁶R¹⁷, N, NH, NR¹⁸, O and S; and X₅, X₆, X₇ and X₈ are independently selected from CH, CH₂, CHR¹⁹, CR²⁰, CR²⁰R²¹, N, NH, NR²², O and S, wherein R¹⁵, R¹⁶, R¹⁷, R¹⁸, R¹⁹, R²⁰, R²¹ and R²² are independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, cycloalkyl, heteroaryl, and cycloheteroalkyl, wherein each of said A ring and said B ring contains at most two nitrogen ring atoms, at most two oxygen ring atom and at most one sulfur ring atom.

2. Compounds within the scope of formula I or II, as defmed above, stereoisomers thereof, tautomers thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, having the formula wherein the A and B rings are carbocyclic unsaturated 6-membered rings.

3. Compounds within the scope of formula I or II, as defmed above, stereoisomers thereof, tautomers thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein:

R is H or alkyl; and

R^(a) and R^(b) are independently selected from hydrogen, halogen, alkyl, cyano, nitro, amino, formyl, CO₂alkyl, CONR^(e)R^(f) and CH₂NR^(e)R^(f).

4. Compounds within the scope of formula I or II, as defmed above, stereoisomers thereof, tautomers thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein:

R² is hydrogen, chloro, bromo, fluoro, hydroxy, C₁₋₄alkyl, cyano, nitro, or NH₂; and

R^(a), R^(c) and R^(d) are each hydrogen.

5. Compounds within the scope of formula I or II, as defmed above, stereoisomers thereof, tautomers thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein:

R is C₁₋₄alkyl; and

R^(b) is hydrogen, halo, CN, NO₂, NH₂, or CHO.

6. Compounds within the scope of formula I or II, as defmed above, having the structure of the formula (IA):

stereoisomers thereof, tautomers thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein Z is H, cycloalkyl, C₂₋₆alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, halo, or alkoxy.

7. Compounds within the scope of numbered paragraph 6, as defined above, stereoisomers thereof, tautomers thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein:

R is C₁₋₄alkyl;

Z is a cycloalkyl, aryl, or heteroaryl ring, where each ring is substituted by one to three groups selected from R³;

R³ is independently at each occurrence

-   -   (i) H or halo; or     -   (ii) alkyl, alkenyl, OR⁵, aryl, and heteroaryl, each group of         which is substituted by one to two groups selected from R⁴;

R⁴ is H, phenyl, S(O)₂R⁵ NHC(O)R⁵, N(R⁵)₂;

R⁵ is independently at each occurrence H or C₁₋₄ alkyl; and

R^(b) is cyano or nitro.

8. Compounds within the scope of numbered paragraph 6, as defined above, a stereoisomer thereof, a tautomer thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein Z is selected from:

9. Compounds within the scope of formula I or II, as defined above, having the structure of the formula (IIA):

stereoisomers thereof, tautomers thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof wherein Y is aryl or heteroaryl.

10. Compounds within the scope of numbered paragraph 9, as defined above stereoisomers thereof, tautomers thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein:

R is C₁₋₄alkyl; and

Q is S or NH.

11. Compounds within the scope of numbered paragraph 9, as defined above, stereoisomers thereof, tautomers thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein:

Y is a phenyl or pyridyl ring, each group of which is substituted by one to three groups selection from R⁶;

R⁶ is H, aminoalkyl, or alkoxy; and

R^(b) is nitro.

12. Compounds within the scope of numbered paragraph 9, as defined above, stereoisomers thereof, tautomers thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein Y is selected from

13. Compounds within the scope of numbered paragraph 9, as defmed above, stereoisomers thereof, tautomers thereof, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R is methyl and Q is S.

14. Compounds within the scope of numbered paragraph 9, as defmed above, stereoisomers thereof, tautomers thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R is methyl and Q is NH.

Aspects of the above-described preferred embodiments, including individual (or groups of) variables, may replace related aspects of other embodiments to form other preferred embodiments of the present invention.

In another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided pharmaceutical compositions useful in treating endocrine disorders, rheumatic disorders, collagen diseases, dermatologic disease, allergic disease, ophthalmic disease, respiratory disease, hematologic disease, gastrointestinal disease, inflammatory disease, autoimmune disease, diabetes, obesity, and neoplastic disease, as well as other uses as described herein, which includes a therapeutically effective amount (depending upon use) of a compound of formula (I or II) of the invention and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

In still another embodiment, the present invention provides a method of treating endocrine disorders, rheumatic disorders, collagen diseases, dermatologic disease, allergic disease, ophthalmic disease, respiratory disease, hematologic disease, gastrointestinal disease, inflammatory disease, autoimmune disease, diabetes, obesity, and neoplastic disease, that is a disease associated with the expression product of a gene whose transcription is stimulated or repressed by glucocorticoid receptors, or a disease associated with AP-1- and/or NF-κB (particularly AP-1-)-induced transcription, or a disease associated with AP-1 and/or NFκB- (particularly AP-1-) dependent gene expression, wherein the disease is associated with the expression of a gene under the regulatory control of AP-1 and/or NF-κB (particularly AP-1), including inflammatory and immune diseases and disorders as described hereinafter, which includes the step of administering a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula (I or -II) of the invention to a patient.

Another embodiment of the present invention involves a method for treating a disease or disorder associated with the expression product of a gene whose transcription is stimulated or repressed by glucocorticoid receptors, or a method of treating a disease or disorder associated with AP-1- and/or NF-κB- (particularly AP-1-) induced transcription, or a method for treating a disease or disorder associated with AP-1 and/or NF-κB (particularly AP-1) dependent gene expression, wherein the disease is associated with the expression of a gene under the regulatory control of AP-1 and/or NF-κβ (particularly AP-1), such as inflammatory and immune disorders, cancer and tumor disorders, such as solid tumors, lymphomas and leukemia, and fingal infections such as mycosis fingoides.

The term “disease associated with GR transactivation,” as used herein, refers to a disease associated with the transcription product of a gene whose transcription is transactivated by a GR. Such diseases include, but are not limited to: osteoporosis, diabetes, glaucoma, muscle loss, facial swelling, personality changes, hypertension, obesity, depression, and AIDS, the condition of wound healing, primary or secondary and renocortical insufficiency, and Addison's disease.

The term “treat”, “treating”, or “treatment,” in all grammatical forms, as used herein refers to the prevention, reduction, or amelioration, partial or complete alleviation, or cure of a disease, disorder, or condition, wherein prevention indicates treatment of a person at risk for developing such a disease, disorder or condition.

The terms “glucocorticoid receptor” and “GR,” as used herein, refer either to a member of the nuclear hormone receptor (“NHR”) family of transcription factors which bind glucocorticoids and either stimulate or repress transcription, or to GR-beta. These terms, as used herein, refer to glucocorticoid receptor from any source, including but not limited to: human glucocorticoid receptor as disclosed in Weinberger, et al. Science 228, p640-742 (1985), and in Weinberger, et al. Nature, 318, p670-672 (1986); rat glucocorticoid receptor as disclosed in Miesfeld, R. Nature, 312, p779-781 (1985); mouse glucocortoid receptor as disclosed in Danielson, M. et al. EMBO J., 5, 2513; sheep glucocorticoid receptor as disclosed in Yang, K., et al. J. Mol. Endocrinol. 8, p173-180 (1992); marmoset glucocortoid receptor as disclosed in Brandon, D. D., et al, J. Mol. Endocrinol. 7, p89-96 (1991); and human GR-beta as disclosed in Hollenberg, S M. et al. Nature, 318, p635, 1985, Bamberger, C. M. et al. J. Clin Invest. 95, p2435 (1995).

The term, “disease or disorder associated with AP-1 and/or NF-κB” as used herein, refers to a disease associated with the expression product of a gene under the regulatory control of AP-1 and/or NF-κB. Such diseases include, but are not limited to: inflammatory and immune diseases and disorders; cancer and tumor disorders, such as solid tumors, lymphomas and leukemia; and fungal infections such as mycosis fungoides.

The term “inflammatory or immune associated diseases or disorders” is used herein to encompass any condition, disease, or disorder that has an inflammatory or immune component, including, but not limited to, each of the following conditions: transplant rejection (e.g., kidney, liver, heart, lung, pancreas (e.g., islet cells), bone marrow, cornea, small bowel, skin allografts, skin homografts (such as employed in bum treatment), heart valve xenografts, serum sickness, and graft vs. host disease, autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, multiple sclerosis, Type I and Type II diabetes, juvenile diabetes, obesity, asthma, inflammatory bowel disease (such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis), pyoderma gangrenum, lupus (systemic lupus erythematosis), myasthenia gravis, psoriasis, dermatitis, dermatomyositis; eczema, seborrhoea, pulmonary inflammation, eye uveitis, hepatitis, Grave's disease, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, autoimmune thyroiditis, Behcet's or Sjorgen's syndrome (dry eyes/mouth), pernicious or immunohaemolytic anaemia, atherosclerosis, Addison's disease (autoimmune disease of the adrenal glands), idiopathic adrenal insufficiency, autoimmune polyglandular disease (also known as autoimmune polyglandular syndrome), glomerulonephritis, scleroderma, morphea, lichen planus, viteligo (depigmentation of the skin), alopecia areata, autoimmune alopecia, autoimmune hypopituatarism, Guillain-Barre syndrome, and alveolitis; T-cell mediated hypersensitivity diseases, including contact hypersensitivity, delayed-type hypersensitivity, contact dermatitis (including that due to poison ivy), uticaria, skin allergies, respiratory allergies (hayfever, allergic rhinitis) and gluten-sensitive enteropathy (Celiac disease); inflammatory diseases such as osteoarthritis, acute pancreatitis, chronic pancreatitis, acute respiratory distress syndrome, Sezary's syndrome and vascular diseases which have an inflammatory and or a proliferatory component such as restenosis, stenosis and artherosclerosis. Inflammatory or immune associated diseases or disorders also includes, but is not limited to: endocrine disorders, rheumatic disorders, collagen diseases, dermatologic disease, allergic disease, ophthalmic disease, respiratory disease, hematologic disease, gastrointestinal disease, inflammatory disease, autoimmune disease, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, nonsuppurative thyroiditis, hypercalcemia associated with cancer, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, Ankylosing spondylitis, acute and subacute bursitis, acute nonspecific tenosynovitis, acute gouty arthritis, post-traumatic osteoarthritis, synovitis of osteoarthritis, epicondylitis, acute rheumatic carditis, pemphigus, bullous dermatitis herpetiformis, severe erythema multiforme, exfoliative dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, seasonal or perennial allergic rhinitis, bronchial asthma, contact dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, drug hypersensitivity reactions, allergic conjunctivitis, keratitis, herpes zoster ophthalmicus, iritis and iridocyclitis, chorioretinitis, optic neuritis, symptomatic sarcoidosis, fulminating or disseminated pulmonary tuberculosis chemotherapy, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura in adults, secondary thrombocytopenia in adults, acquired (autoimmune) hemolytic anemia, leukemias and lymphomas in adults, acute leukemia of childhood, regional enteritis, autoimmune vasculitis, multiple sclerosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, solid organ transplant rejection, sepsis. Preferred treatments include treatment of transplant rejection, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, multiple sclerosis, Type 1 diabetes, asthma, inflammatory bowel disease, systemic lupus erythematosis, psoriasis and chronic pulmonary disease.

In addition, in accordance with the present invention a method of treating a disease associated with AP-1-induced and/or NF-κB-induced transcription (particularly AP-1-induced transcription) is provided wherein a compound of formula (I or II) of the invention is administered to a patient at risk of developing the disease in a therapeutically effective amount to induce NHR transrepression of the AP-1-induced and/or NF-κB-induced transcription (particularly AP-1-induced transcription), thereby treating the disease.

Other therapeutic agents, such as those described hereafter, may be employed with the compounds of the invention in the present methods. In the methods of the present invention, such other therapeutic agent(s) may be administered prior to, simultaneously with or following the administration of the compound(s) of the present invention.

In a particular embodiment, the compounds of the present invention are useful for the treatment of the aforementioned exemplary disorders irrespective of their etiology, for example, for the treatment of transplant rejection, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and viral infections.

Methods of Synthesis

The compounds of the present invention may be synthesized by many methods available to those skilled in the art of organic chemistry. General synthetic schemes, in accordance with the present invention, for preparing compounds of the present invention are described below. These schemes are illustrative and are not meant to limit the possible techniques one skilled in the art may use to prepare the compounds disclosed herein. Different methods to prepare the compounds of the present invention will be evident to those skilled in the art. Additionally, the various steps in the synthesis may be performed in an alternate sequence in order to give the desired compound or compounds. Examples of compounds of the present invention prepared by methods described in the general schemes are given in the preparations and examples section set out hereinafter.

Compounds of Formula (I)

Compounds of formula (I) of the invention are prepared as described by the Schemes and examples below. In the schemed below the various groups A, B, R₁, R₂, R₃ correspond to those described above.

Scheme 1 illustrates a typical method for synthesizing compounds of Formula I. The aminotriazoles were prepared by reacting esters with commercially available aminoguanidine. See Naito et al J. Med. Chem. 39(15), 3027, (1996). Coupling of the triazoles with the acid 2 [which was prepared as described in WO 04009017) can be done by one of the many methods of amidation well know to those skilled in the art (for example using 1-hydroxybenzotriazole, N-ethyl-N,N-diisopropylamine and 1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride (EDCI) and anhydrous acetonitrile as the solvent] yields ring acylated products 3 which can be isomerized to compounds of Formula I by heating under argon, or by treating with NaH. Esters of the present invention are either commercially available or can be prepared by employing procedures known in the art including those detailed in Larock, R. C., “Comprehensive Organic Transformations”, 2^(nd) edition, VCH Publishers, Inc. (1999).

Scheme 2 shows an alternative way of making compounds of Formula I. Activation of acid 2 with oxalyl chloride or diphenylphosphoryl azide and reaction with S-methylisothiourea affords acylisothioureas 4. Reaction of the acylisothioureas 4 with hydrazides using a modified procedure affords compounds of Formula I. See Demirayak et al., Eur. J. Med. Chem. 35, 1037-1040, (2000).

Compounds of Formula (II)

Compounds of formula (II) of the invention are prepared as described in the Schemes and examples below. The various groups A, B, Q, Y, R₁, R₂, R_(a), R_(b), R_(c), R_(d) correspond to those described above for formula (II).

As depicted in Scheme C, compound 2 (prepared according to WO04009017) may be reacted with an amine 5 by one of the many methods of amidation well known to those skilled in the art (such as treatment of compound 2 in a suitable solvent such as acetonitrile with 1-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]-3-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC), 1-hydroxy-7-azabenzotriazole, triethylamine and amine 5) to provide compound of formula (II) of the invention.

Alternatively, as illustrated in Scheme D, a compound of formula (II) may be prepared via the coupling reaction of the compound 2 and an amine 6, wherein X is halogen or triflate, by one of the many methods of amidation well known to those skilled in the art to provide compound 7. Compound 7 can be converted to compound 8 of the invention via Suzuki coupling reaction with compound of formula 8, wherein Y is aryl or heteroaryl and R₃ is H or lower alkyl, using one of the many methods well known to those skilled in the art (such as treatment of compound 7 and compound 8 with a base such as K₃PO₄ or Na2CO₃ in a mixed solvent of water and THF or DMF or toluene in the presence of catalytic amount of Pd(0) such as tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)palladium(0) at temperature ranging from 60 to 200° C. under conventional heating or microwave irradiation.

Definition of Terms

Unless otherwise indicated, the term “lower alkyl”, “alkyl” or “alk” as employed herein alone or as part of another group includes both straight and branched chain hydrocarbons, containing 1 to 20 carbons, preferably 1 to 10 carbons, more preferably 1 to 8 carbons, in the normal chain, and may optionally include an oxygen or nitrogen in the normal chain. Examples of such chains include methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, t-butyl, isobutyl, pentyl, hexyl, isohexyl, heptyl, 4,4-dimethylpentyl, octyl, 2,2,4-trimethylpentyl, nonyl, decyl, undecyl, dodecyl, the various branched chain isomers thereof, and the like, as well as such groups including 1 to 4 substituents such as halo, (including F, Br, Cl or I), CF₃, alkoxy, aryl, aryloxy, aryl(aryl) or diaryl, arylalkyl, arylalkyloxy, alkenyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, cycloalkylalkyloxy, amino, hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl, acyl, heteroaryl, heteroaryloxy, HO—N═, cycloheteroalkyl, alkyloxycarbonyl, alkoxyoximyl, arylheteroaryl, arylalkoxycarbonyl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroarylalkoxy, aryloxyalkyl, aryloxyaryl, alkylamido, alkanoylamino, hydroxyalkyl (alkyl)amino carbonyl, arylcarbonylamino, nitro, cyano, thiol, haloalkyl, trihaloalkyl and/or alkylthio and/or any of the substituents for aryl.

When numbers appear in a subscript after the symbol “C”, the subscript defines with more specificity the number of carbon atoms that a particular group may contain. The subscript “0” refers to a bond. When the term “alkyl” is used together with another group, such as in “arylalkyl”, this conjunction defines with more specificity at least one of the substituents that the alkyl will contain. For example, “arylalkyl” or “(aryl)alkyl” refers to an alkyl group as defined above where at least one of the substituents is an aryl, such as benzyl. Also, the term aryl(C₀₋₄)alkyl includes a lower alkyl having at least one aryl substituent and also includes an aryl directly bonded to another group, i.e., aryl(C₀)alkyl.

Unless otherwise indicated, the term “cycloalkyl” as employed herein alone or as part of another group includes saturated cyclic hydrocarbon groups containing 1 to 3 rings, including monocyclicalkyl, bicyclicalkyl and tricyclicalkyl, containing a total of 3 to 20 carbons forming the rings, preferably 3 to 10 carbons, forming the ring and which may be fused to 1 or 2 aromatic rings (defined below). Accordingly, the term “cycloalkyl” includes groups such as cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl, cyclooctyl, cyclodecyl and cyclododecyl, cyclohexenyl,

and the like as well as such groups including 1 to 4 substituents such as halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, hydroxy, aryl, aryloxy, arylalkyl, cycloalkyl, alkylamido, alkanoylamino, oxo, acyl, arylcarbonylamino, amino, nitro, cyano, thiol and/or alkylthio and/or any of the substituents for alkyl.

The term “cycloalkenyl” as employed herein alone or as part of another group refers to cyclic hydrocarbons containing 3 to 12 carbons, preferably 5 to 10 carbons and 1 or 2 double bonds. Exemplary cycloalkenyl groups include cyclopentenyl, cyclohexenyl, cycloheptenyl, cyclooctenyl, cyclohexadienyl, and cycloheptadienyl, which may be optionally substituted as defmed for cycloalkyl.

The term “cycloalkylene” as employed herein refers to a “cycloalkyl” group which includes free bonds and thus is a linking group such as

and the like, and may optionally be substituted as defined above for “cycloalkyl”.

The term “alkanoyl” as used herein alone or as part of another group refers to alkyl linked to a carbonyl group.

Unless otherwise indicated, the term “lower alkenyl” or “alkenyl” as used herein by itself or as part of another group refers to straight or branched chain radicals of 2 to 20 carbons, preferably 2 to 12 carbons, and more preferably 1 to 8 carbons in the normal chain, which include one to six double bonds in the normal chain, and may optionally include an oxygen or nitrogen in the normal chain. Accordingyly, the term “lower alkenyl” or “alkenyl” includes groups such as vinyl, 2-propenyl, 3-butenyl, 2-butenyl, 4-pentenyl, 3-pentenyl, 2-hexenyl, 3-hexenyl, 2-heptenyl, 3-heptenyl, 4-heptenyl, 3-octenyl, 3-nonenyl, 4-decenyl, 3-undecenyl, 4-dodecenyl, 4,8,12-tetradecatrienyl, and the like as well as such groups including 1 to 4 substituents such as halogen, haloalkyl, alkyl, alkoxy, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, arylalkyl, cycloalkyl, amino, hydroxy, heteroaryl, cycloheteroalkyl, alkanoylamino, alkylamido, arylcarbonylamino, nitro, cyano, thiol, alkylthio and/or any of the substituents for alkyl set out herein.

Unless otherwise indicated, the term “lower alkynyl” or “alkynyl” as used herein by itself or as part of another group refers to straight or branched chain radicals of 2 to 20 carbons, preferably 2 to 12 carbons and more preferably 2 to 8 carbons in the normal chain, which include one triple bond in the normal chain, and may optionally include an oxygen or nitrogen in the normal chain. Accordingly, the term “lower alkynyl” or “alkynyl” includes groups such as 2-propynyl, 3-butynyl, 2-butynyl, 4-pentynyl, 3-pentynyl, 2-hexynyl, 3-hexynyl, 2-heptynyl, 3-heptynyl, 4-heptynyl, 3-octynyl, 3-nonynyl, 4-decynyl, 3-undecynyl, 4-dodecynyl and the like as well as such groups including 1 to 4 substituents such as halogen, haloalkyl, alkyl, alkoxy, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, arylalkyl, cycloalkyl, amino, heteroaryl, cycloheteroalkyl, hydroxy, alkanoylamino, alkylamido, arylcarbonylamino, nitro, cyano, thiol, and/or alkylthio, and/or any of the substituents for alkyl set out herein.

The terms “arylalkenyl” and “arylalkynyl” as used alone or as part of another group refer to alkenyl and alkynyl groups as described above having an aryl substituent.

The term “alkylene” refers to bivalent straight or branched chain hydrocarbon groups having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, preferably 1 to 8 carbon atoms, e.g., {—CH₂—}_(n), wherein n is 1 to 12, preferably 1-8. Lower alkylene groups, that is, alkylene groups of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, are most preferred, for example “methylene”. The terms “alkenylene” and “alkynylene” refer to bivalent radicals of alkenyl and alkynyl groups, respectively, as defmed above. When reference is made to a substituted alkenyl, alkynyl, alkylene, alkenylene, or alkynylene group, these groups are substituted with one to three substitutents as defmed above for substituted alkyl groups.

Where alkenyl groups as defmed above and alkynyl groups as defmed above, respectively, have single bonds for attachment at two different carbon atoms, they are termed “alkenylene groups” and “alkynylene groups”, respectively, and may optionally be substituted as defmed above for “alkenyl” and “alkynyl”.

(CH₂)_(p) and (CH₂)_(q), includes alkylene, allenyl, alkenylene or alkynylene groups, as defined herein, each of which may optionally include an oxygen or nitrogen in the normal chain, which may optionally include 1, 2, or 3 substituents which include alkyl, alkenyl, halogen, cyano, hydroxy, alkoxy, amino, thioalkyl, keto, C₃-C₆ cycloalkyl, alkylcarbonylamino or alkylcarbonyloxy; the alkyl substituent may be an alkylene moiety of 1 to 4 carbons which may be attached to one or two carbons in the (CH₂)_(p) or (CH₂)_(q) group to form a cycloalkyl group therewith.

Examples of (CH₂)_(p), (CH₂)_(q), alkylene, alkenylene and alkynylene include

The term “halogen” or “halo” as used herein alone or as part of another group (e.g. CF₃ is a haloalkyl group) refers to chlorine, bromine, fluorine, and iodine, with chlorine fluorine or bromine being preferred.

The term “metal ion” refers to alkali metal ions such as sodium, potassium or lithium and alkaline earth metal ions such as magnesium and calcium, as well as zinc and aluminum.

Unless otherwise indicated, the term “aryl”, as employed herein alone or as part of another group refers to monocyclic and bicyclic aromatic groups containing 6 to 10 carbons in the ring portion (such as phenyl or naphthyl including 1-naphthyl and 2-naphthyl) and may optionally include one to three additional rings fused to a carbocyclic ring or a heterocyclic ring (such as aryl, cycloalkyl, heteroaryl or cycloheteroalkyl rings. Accordingly, the term “aryl” includes, for example

and may be optionally substituted through available carbon atoms with 1, 2, or 3 groups selected from hydrogen, halo, haloalkyl, alkyl, haloalkyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, alkenyl, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy, alkynyl, cycloalkyl-alkyl, cycloheteroalkyl, cycloheteroalkylalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, arylalkyl, aryloxy, aryloxyalkyl, arylalkoxy, alkoxycarbonyl, arylcarbonyl, arylalkenyl, aminocarbonylaryl, arylthio, arylsulfmyl, arylazo, heteroarylalkyl, heteroarylalkenyl, heteroarylheteroaryl, heteroaryloxy, hydroxy, nitro, cyano, amino, substituted amino wherein the amino includes 1 or 2 substituents (which are alkyl, aryl or any of the other aryl compounds mentioned in the definitions), thiol, alkylthio, arylthio, heteroarylthio, arylthioalkyl, alkoxyarylthio, alkylcarbonyl, arylcarbonyl, alkylaminocarbonyl, arylaminocarbonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, aminocarbonyl, alkylcarbonyloxy, arylcarbonyloxy, alkylcarbonylamino, arylcarbonylamino, arylsulfinyl, arylsulfinylalkyl, arylsulfonylamino or arylsulfonaminocarbonyl, carboxy, cycloalkyl, arylalkoxy, aryloxycarbonyl, cycloalkylaminocarbonyl, cycloalkylalkylaminocarbonyl, alkoxycarbonylalkyl, alkoxyalkylaminocarbonyl, heteroarylaminocarbonyl, heteroarylalkylaminocarbonyl, arylalkylaminocarbonyl, N-hydroxyalkyl(N-alkyl)aminocarbonyl, cycloheteroalkylaminocarbonyl, cycloheteroalkylalkylaminocarbonyl, N-aryl(N-alkyl)aminocarbonyl, N-arylalkyl(N-cyanoalkyl)aminocarbonyl, dialkylaminoalkylaminocarbonyl, dialkylaminocarbonyl, alkyl-, arylalkyl- or aryl-cycloheteroalkylaminocarbonyl, N-dialkylaminoalkyl(N-alkyl or N-arylalkyl)aminocarbonyl, N-heteroarylalkyl(N-alkyl)aminocarbonyl, N-arylalkyl(N-alkyl)aminocarbonyl, N-dialkylamino(N-arylalkyl)aminocarbonyl, N-hydroxyalkyl(N-arylalkyl)aminocarbonyl, aminoalkyloxycarbonyl, cycloheteroalkylcarbonyl, N═N═N, alkylsulfonyl, aminosulfonyl, heteroarylaminosulfonyl, and/or any of the substituents for alkyl set out herein.

Unless otherwise indicated, the term “lower alkoxy”, “alkoxy”, “aryloxy” or “aralkoxy” as employed herein alone or as part of another group includes any of the above alkyl, aralkyl or aryl groups linked to an oxygen atom.

Unless otherwise indicated, the term “substituted amino” as employed herein alone or as part of another group refers to amino substituted with one or two substituents, which may be the same or different, such as alkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, cycloheteroalkyl, cycloheteroalkylalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, haloalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxyalkyl or thioalkyl. These substituents may optionally be further substituted with a carboxylic acid and/or any of the substituents for alkyl as set out above. In addition, the amino substituents may be taken together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached to form 1-pyrrolidinyl, 1-piperidinyl, 1-azepinyl, 4-morpholinyl, 4-thiamorpholinyl, 1-piperazinyl, 4-alkyl-1-piperazinyl, 4-arylalkyl-1-piperazinyl, 4-diarylalkyl-1-piperazinyl, 1-pyrrolidinyl, 1-piperidinyl, or 1-azepinyl, optionally substituted with alkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, halo, trifluoromethyl or hydroxy.

Unless otherwise indicated, the term “lower alkylthio”, alkylthio”, “arylthio” or “aralkylthio” as employed herein alone or as part of another group includes any of the above alkyl, aralkyl or aryl groups linked to a sulfur atom.

Unless otherwise indicated, the term “acyl” as employed herein by itself or part of another group, as defmed herein, refers to an organic radical linked to a carbonyl

group; examples of acyl groups include any of the R groups attached to a carbonyl, such as alkanoyl, alkenoyl, aroyl, aralkanoyl, heteroaroyl, cycloalkanoyl, cycloheteroalkanoyl and the like.

Unless otherwise indicated, the term “lower alkylamino”, “alkylamino”, “acylamino”, “arylamino”, or “arylalkylamino” as employed herein alone or as part of another group includes any of the above alkyl, aryl or arylalkyl acyl groups linked to a nitrogen atom. The term “acylamino”, for example, includes the group —NHC(O)alkyl.

Unless otherwise indicated, the term “cycloheteroalkyl” as used herein alone or as part of another group refers to a 5-, 6- or 7-membered saturated or partially unsaturated ring which includes 1 to 2 hetero atoms such as nitrogen, oxygen and/or sulfur, linked through a carbon atom or a heteroatom, where possible, optionally via the linker (CH₂)_(p) (where p is 0, 1, 2 or 3), such as

and the like. The above groups may include 1 to 4 substituents such as alkyl, halo, oxo and/or any of of the substituents for alkyl or aryl set out herein. In addition, any of the cycloheteroalkyl rings can be fused to a cycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl or cycloheteroalkyl ring.

Unless otherwise indicated, the term “heteroaryl” as used herein alone or as part of another group refers to a 5-, 6- or 7-membered aromatic ring which includes 1, 2, 3 or 4 hetero atoms such as nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur,and such rings fused to an aryl, cycloalkyl, heteroaryl or cycloheteroalkyl ring (e.g. benzothiophenyl, indolyl), and includes possible N-oxides, linked through a carbon atom or a heteroatom, where possible, optionally via the linker (CH₂)_(q) (where q is 0, 1, 2 or 3). The heteroaryl group may optionally include 1 to 4 substituents such as any of the substituents for alkyl or aryl set out above. Examples of heteroaryl groups include the following:

and the like.

The term “cycloheteroalkylalkyl” as used herein alone or as part of another group refers to cycloheteroalkyl groups as defined above linked through a C atom or heteroatom to a (CH₂)_(p) chain.

The term “heteroarylalkyl” or “heteroarylalkenyl” as used herein alone or as part of another group refers to a heteroaryl group as defined above linked through a C atom or heteroatom to a —(CH₂)_(q)— chain, alkylene or alkenylene as defined above.

The term “polyhaloalkyl” as used herein refers to an “alkyl” group as defined above which includes from 2 to 9, preferably from 2 to 5, halo substituents, such as F or Cl, preferably F, such as CF₃CH₂, CF₃ or CF₃CF₂CH₂.

The term “polyhaloalkyloxy” as used herein refers to an “alkoxy” or “alkyloxy” group as defmed above which includes from 2 to 9, preferably from 2 to 5, halo substituents, such as F or Cl, preferably F, such as CF₃CH₂O, CF₃O or CF₃CF₂CH₂O. The use of a circle in a ring of a chemical structures denotes an aromatic system. Accordingly, as used herein the group

is a five-membered aromatic triazole system, including tautomers such as, for example,

and the group

is a five-membered ring, including for example, where Q=S, NH or O, the ring is a thiazole, imidazole and oxazole, respectively, and preferably thiazole or imidazole (each of which may be optionally substituted).

The term “prodrug” denotes a compound which, upon administration to a subject, undergoes chemical conversion by metabolic or chemical processes to yield a compound of the formula (I or II), and/or a salt and/or solvate thereof. For example, compounds containing a carboxy group can form physiologically hydrolyzable esters which serve as prodrugs by being hydrolyzed in the body to yield formula (I or II) compounds per se. Such prodrugs are preferably administered orally since hydrolysis in many instances occurs principally under the influence of the digestive enzymes. Parenteral administration may be used where the ester per se is active, or in those instances where hydrolysis occurs in the blood. Examples of physiologically hydrolyzable esters of compounds of formula (I or II) include C₁₋₆alkylbenzyl, 4-methoxybenzyl, indanyl, phthalyl, methoxymethyl, C₁₋₆alkanoyloxy-C₁₋₆alkyl, e.g. acetoxymethyl, pivaloyloxymethyl or propionyloxymethyl, C₁₋₆alkoxycarbonyloxy-C₁₋₆alkyl, e.g. methoxycarbonyl-oxymethyl or ethoxycarbonyloxymethyl, glycyloxymethyl, phenylglycyloxymethyl, (5-methyl-2-oxo-1,3-dioxolen-4-yl)-methyl and other well known physiologically hydrolyzable esters used, for example, in the penicillin and cephalosporin arts. Such esters may be prepared by conventional techniques known in the art.

Prodrug ester examples include the following groups: (1-alkanoyloxy)alkyl such as,

wherein R^(z), R^(t) and R^(y) are H, alkyl, aryl or arylalkyl; however, R^(z)O cannot be HO.

Examples of such prodrug esters include

Other examples of suitable prodrug esters include

wherein R^(z) can be H, alkyl (such as methyl or t-butyl), arylalkyl (such as benzyl) or aryl (such as phenyl); R^(v) is H, alkyl, halogen or alkoxy, R^(u) is alkyl, aryl, arylalkyl or alkoxyl, and n₁ is 0, 1 or 2.

For further examples of prodrug derivatives, see:

a) Design of Prodrugs, edited by H. Bundgaard, (Elsevier, 1985) and Methods in Enzymology, Vol. 112, pp. 309-396, edited by K. Widder, et al. (Academic Press, 1985);

b) A Textbook of Drug Design and Development, edited by Krosgaard-Larsen and H. Bundgaard, Chapter 5, “Design and Application of Prodrugs,” by H. Bundgaard, pp. 113-191 (1991); and

c) H. Bundgaard, Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews, 8, 1-38 (1992).

The term tautomer refers to compounds of the formula (I or II) and salts thereof that may exist in their tautomeric form, in which hydrogen atoms are transposed to other parts of the molecules and the chemical bonds between the atoms of the molecules are consequently rearranged. It should be understood that the all tautomeric forms, insofar as they may exist, are included within the invention.

The terms pharmaceutically acceptable “salt” and “salts” refer to basic salts formed with inorganic and organic bases. Such salts include ammonium salts; alkali metal salts, such as lithium, sodium and potassium salts (which are preferred); alkaline earth metal salts, such as calcium and magnesium salts; salts with organic bases, such as amine like salts (e.g., dicyclohexylamine salt, benzathine, N-methyl-D-glucamine, and hydrabamine salts); and salts with amino acids like arginine, lysine and the like; and zwitterions, the so-called “inner salts”. Nontoxic, pharmaceutically acceptable salts are preferred, although other salts are also useful, e.g., in isolating or purifying the product.

The term pharmaceutically acceptable “salt” and “salts” also includes acid addition salts. These are formed, for example, with strong inorganic acids, such as mineral acids, for example sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid or a hydrohalic acid such as HCl or HBr, with strong organic carboxylic acids, such as alkanecarboxylic acids of 1 to 4 carbon atoms which are unsubstituted or substituted, for example, by halogen, for example acetic acid, such as saturated or unsaturated dicarboxylic acids, for example oxalic, malonic, succinic, maleic, fumaric, phthalic or terephthalic acid, such as hydroxycarboxylic acids, for example ascorbic, glycolic, lactic, malic, tartaric or citric acid, such as amino acids, (for example aspartic or glutamic acid or lysine or arginine), or benzoic acid, or with organic sulfonic acids, such as (C₁-C₄) alkyl or arylsulfonic acids which are unsubstituted or substituted, for example by halogen, for example methanesulfonic acid or p-toluenesulfonic acid.

All stereoisomers of the compounds of the instant invention are contemplated, either in admixture or in pure or substantially pure form. The compounds of the present invention can have asymmetric centers at any of the carbon atoms including any one or the R substituents. Consequently, compounds of formula I or II can exist in enantiomeric or diastereomeric forms or in mixtures thereof. The processes for preparation can utilize racemates, enantiomers or diastereomers as starting materials. When diastereomeric or enantiomeric products are prepared, they can be separated by conventional methods for example, chromatographic or fractional crystallization.

The inventive compounds may be in the free or solvate (e.g. hydrate) form.

Combinations

Where desired, the compounds of formula I or II may be used in combination with one or more other types of therapeutic agents such as immunosuppressants, anticancer agents, anti-viral agents, anti-inflammatory agents, anti-fungal agents, antibiotics, anti-vascular hyperproliferation agents, anti-depressive agents, hypolipidemic agents or lipid-lowering agents or lipid modulating agents, antidiabetic agents, anti-obesity agents, antihypertensive agents, platelet aggregation inhibitors, and/or anti-osteoporosis agents, which may be administered orally in the same dosage form, in a separate oral dosage form or by injection.

The immunosuppressants which may be optionally employed in combination with compounds of formula I or II of the invention include cyclosporins, for example cyclosporin A, mycophenolate, interferon-beta, deoxyspergolin, FK-506 or Ant.-IL-2.

The anti-cancer agents which may be optionally employed in combination with compounds of formula I or II of the invention include azathiprine, 5-fluorouracil, cyclophosphamide, cisplatin, methotrexate, thiotepa, carboplatin, and the like.

The anti-viral agents which may be optionally employed in combination with compounds of formula I or II of the invention include abacavir, aciclovir, ganciclovir, zidanocin, vidarabine, and the like.

The anti-inflammatory agents which may be optionally employed in combination with compounds of formula I or II of the invention include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen, cox-2 inhibitors such as celecoxib, rofecoxib, aspirin, naproxen, ketoprofen, diclofenac sodium, indomethacin, piroxicam, steroids such as prednisone, dexamethasone, hydrocortisone, triamcinolone diacetate, gold compounds, such as gold sodium thiomalate, TNF-α inhibitors such as tenidap, anti-TNF antibodies or soluble TNF receptor, and rapamycin (sirolimus or Rapamune) or derivatives thereof, infliximab (Remicade® Centocor, Inc.). CTLA-4Ig, LEA29Y, antibodies such as anti-ICAM-3, anti-IL-2 receptor (Anti-Tac), anti-CD45RB, anti-CD2, anti-CD3 (OKT-3), anti-CD4, anti-CD80, anti-CD86, monoclonal antibody OKT3, agents blocking the interaction between CD40 and CD154 (a.k.a. “gp39”), such as antibodies specific for CD40 and/or CD154, fusion proteins such as etanercept, fusion proteins constructed from CD40 and/or CD154gp39 (e.g. CD40Ig and CD8gp39), inhibitors, such as nuclear translocation inhibitors, of NF-kappa B function, such as deoxyspergualin (DSG).

The anti-fungal agents which may be optionally employed in combination with compounds of formula I or II of the invention include fluconazole, miconazole, amphotericin B, and the like.

The antibiotics which may be optionally employed in combination with compounds of formula I or II of the invention include penicillin, tetracycline, amoxicillin, ampicillin, erythromycin, doxycycline, vancomycin, minocycline, clindamycin or cefalexin.

The anti-vascular hyperproliferation agents which may be optionally employed with compounds of formula I or II of the invention include methotrexate, leflunomide, FK506 (tacrolimus, Prograf),

The hypolipidemic agent or lipid-lowering agent or lipid modulating agents which may be optionally employed in combination with the compounds of formula I or II of the invention may include 1, 2, 3 or more MTP inhibitors, HMG CoA reductase inhibitors, squalene synthetase inhibitors, fibric acid derivatives, ACAT inhibitors, lipoxygenase inhibitors, cholesterol absorption inhibitors, ileal Na⁺/bile acid cotransporter inhibitors, upregulators of LDL receptor activity, bile acid sequestrants, and/or nicotinic acid and derivatives thereof.

MTP inhibitors employed herein include MTP inhibitors disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,595,872, U.S. Pat. No. 5,739,135, U.S. Pat. No. 5,712,279, U.S. Pat. No. 5,760,246, U.S. Pat. No. 5,827,875, U.S. Pat. No. 5,885,983 and U.S. application Ser. No. 09/175,180 filed Oct. 20, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,962,440. Preferred are each of the preferred MTP inhibitors disclosed in each of the above patents and applications.

All of the above U.S. Patents and applications are incorporated herein by reference.

Most preferred MTP inhibitors to be employed in accordance with the present invention include preferred MTP inhibitors as set out in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,739,135 and 5,712,279, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,760,246.

The most preferred MTP inhibitor is 9-[4-[4-[[2-(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)benzoyl]amino]-1-piperidinyl]butyl]-N-(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)-9H-fluorene-9-carboxamide

The hypolipidemic agent may be an HMG CoA reductase inhibitor which includes, but is not limited to, mevastatin and related compounds as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,983,140, lovastatin (mevinolin) and related compounds as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,231,938, pravastatin and related compounds such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,346,227, simvastatin and related compounds as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,448,784 and 4,450,171. Other HMG CoA reductase inhibitors which may be employed herein include, but are not limited to, fluvastatin, disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,354,772, cerivastatin disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,006,530 and 5,177,080, atorvastatin disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,681,893, 5,273,995, 5,385,929 and 5,686,104, itavastatin (Nissan/Sankyo's nisvastatin (NK-104)) disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,011,930, Shionogi-Astra/Zeneca visastatin (ZD-4522) disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,260,440, and related statin compounds disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,753,675, pyrazole analogs of mevalonolactone derivatives as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,613,610, indene analogs of mevalonolactone derivatives as disclosed in PCT application WO 86/03488, 6-[2-(substituted-pyrrol-1-yl)-alkyl)pyran-2-ones and derivatives thereof as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,647,576, Searle's SC-45355 (a 3-substituted pentanedioic acid derivative) dichloroacetate, imidazole analogs of mevalonolactone as disclosed in PCT application WO 86/07054, 3-carboxy-2-hydroxy-propane-phosphonic acid derivatives as disclosed in French Patent No. 2,596,393, 2,3-disubstituted pyrrole, furan and thiophene derivatives as disclosed in European Patent Application No. 0221025, naphthyl analogs of mevalonolactone as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,686,237, octahydronaphthalenes such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,499,289, keto analogs of mevinolin (lovastatin) as disclosed in European Patent Application No. 0,142,146 A2, and quinoline and pyridine derivatives disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,506,219 and 5,691,322.

In addition, phosphinic acid compounds useful in inhibiting HMG CoA reductase suitable for use herein are disclosed in GB 2205837.

The squalene synthetase inhibitors suitable for use herein include, but are not limited to, α-phosphono-sulfonates disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,712,396, those disclosed by Biller et al, J. Med. Chem., Vol. 31, No. 10, pp 1869-1871 (1988), including isoprenoid (phosphinyl-methyl)phosphonates as well as other known squalene synthetase inhibitors, for example, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,871,721 and 4,924,024 and in Biller, S. A., Neuenschwander, K., Ponpipom, M. M., and Poulter, C. D., Current Pharmaceutical Design, 2, 1-40 (1996).

In addition, other squalene synthetase inhibitors suitable for use herein include the terpenoid pyrophosphates disclosed by P. Ortiz de Montellano et al, J. Med. Chem., 1977, 20, 243-249, the farnesyl diphosphate analog A and presqualene pyrophosphate (PSQ-PP) analogs as disclosed by Corey and Volante, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 98, 1291-1293 (1976), phosphinylphosphonates reported by McClard, R. W. et al, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 1987, 109, 5544 (1987), and cyclopropanes reported by Capson, T. L., PhD dissertation, Dept. Med. Chem. U of Utah, Abstract, Table of Contents, pp 16, 17, 40-43, 48-51, Summary (June, 1987).

Other hypolipidemic agents suitable for use herein include, but are not limited to, fibric acid derivatives, such as fenofibrate, gemfibrozil, clofibrate, bezafibrate, ciprofibrate, clinofibrate and the like, probucol, and related compounds as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,674,836, probucol and gemfibrozil being preferred, bile acid sequestrants such as cholestyramine, colestipol and DEAE-Sephadex (Secholex®, Policexide®) and cholestagel (Sankyo/Geltex), as well as lipostabil (Rhone-Poulenc), Eisai E-5050 (an N-substituted ethanolamine derivative), imanixil (HOE-402), tetrahydrolipstatin (THL), istigrnastanylphos-phorylcholine (SPC, Roche), aminocyclodextrin (Tanabe Seiyoku), Ajinomoto AJ-814 (azulene derivative), melinamide (Sumitomo), Sandoz 58-035, American Cyanamid CL-277,082 and CL-283,546 (disubstituted urea derivatives), nicotinic acid (niacin), acipimox, acifran, neomycin, p-aminosalicylic acid, aspirin, poly(diallylmethylamine) derivatives such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,759,923, quaternary amine poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) and ionenes such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,027,009, and other known serum cholesterol lowering agents.

The hypolipidemic agent may be an ACAT inhibitor such as disclosed in, Drugs of the Future 24, 9-15 (1999), (Avasimibe); “The ACAT inhibitor, Cl-1011 is effective in the prevention and regression of aortic fatty streak area in hamsters”, Nicolosi et al, Atherosclerosis (Shannon, Irel). 137(1), 77-85 (1998) “The pharmacological profile of FCE 27677: a novel ACAT inhibitor with potent hypolipidemic activity mediated by selective suppression of the hepatic secretion of ApoB100-containing lipoprotein”, Ghiselli, Giancarlo, Cardiovasc. Drug Rev. (1998), 16(1), 16-30; “RP 73163: a bioavailable alkylsulfinyl-diphenylimidazole ACAT inhibitor”, Smith, C., et al, Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett. 6(1), 47-50 (1996); “ACAT inhibitors: physiologic mechanisms for hypolipidemic and anti-atherosclerotic activities in experimental animals”, Krause et al, Editor(s): Ruffolo, Robert R., Jr.; Hollinger, Mannfred A., Inflammation: Mediators Pathways 173-98 (1995), Publisher: CRC, Boca Raton, Fla.; “ACAT inhibitors: potential anti-atherosclerotic agents”, Sliskovic et al, Curr. Med. Chem. 1(3), 204-25 1994); “Inhibitors of acyl-CoA:cholesterol O-acyl transferase (ACAT) as hypocholesterolemic agents. 6. The first water-soluble ACAT inhibitor with lipid-regulating activity. Inhibitors of acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT). 7. Development of a series of substituted N-phenyl-N′-[(1-phenylcyclopentyl)methyl]ureas with enhanced hypocholesterolemic activity”, Stout et al, Chemtracts: Org. Chem. 8(6), 359-62 (1995), or TS-962 (Taisho Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd).

The hypolipidemic agent may be an upregulator of LD2 receptor activity such as MD-700 (Taisho Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd) and LY295427 (Eli Lilly).

The hypolipidemic agent may be a cholesterol absorption inhibitor preferably Schering-Plough's ezetimibe (SCH58235) and SCH48461 as well as those disclosed in Atherosclerosis 115, 45-63 (1995) and J. Med. Chem. 41, 973 (1998).

The hypolipidemic agent may be an ileal Na⁺/bile acid cotransporter inhibitor such as disclosed in Drugs of the Future, 24, 425-430 (1999).

The lipid-modulating agent may be a cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) inhibitor such as Pfizer's CP 529,414 (WO/0038722 and EP 818448) and Pharmacia's SC-744 and SC-795.

The ATP citrate lyase inhibitor which may be employed in the combination of the invention may include, for example, those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,447,954.

Preferred hypolipidemic agents are pravastatin, lovastatin, simvastatin, atorvastatin, fluvastatin, cerivastatin, itavastatin and visastatin and ZD-4522.

The above-mentioned U.S. patents are incorporated herein by reference. The amounts and dosages employed will be as indicated in the Physician's Desk Reference and/or in the patents set out above.

The compounds of formula I or II of the invention will be employed in a weight ratio to the hypolipidemic agent (were present), within the range from about 500:1 to about 1:500, preferably from about 100:1 to about 1:100.

The dose administered must be carefully adjusted according to age, weight and condition of the patient, as well as the route of administration, dosage form and regimen and the desired result.

The dosages and formulations for the hypolipidemic agent will be as disclosed in the various patents and applications discussed above.

The dosages and formulations for the other hypolipidemic agent to be employed, where applicable, will be as set out in the latest edition of the Physicians' Desk Reference.

For oral administration, a satisfactory result may be obtained employing the MTP inhibitor in an amount within the range of from about 0.01 mg to about 500 mg and preferably from about 0.1 mg to about 100 mg, one to four times daily.

A preferred oral dosage form, such as tablets or capsules, will contain the MTP inhibitor in an amount of from about 1 to about 500 mg, preferably from about 2 to about 400 mg, and more preferably from about 5 to about 250 mg, one to four times daily.

For oral administration, a satisfactory result may be obtained employing an HMG CoA reductase inhibitor, for example, pravastatin, lovastatin, simvastatin, atorvastatin, fluvastatin or cerivastatin in dosages employed as indicated in the Physician's Desk Reference, such as in an amount within the range of from about 1 to 2000 mg, and preferably from about 4 to about 200 mg.

The squalene synthetase inhibitor may be employed in dosages in an amount within the range of from about 10 mg to about 2000 mg and preferably from about 25 mg to about 200 mg.

A preferred oral dosage form, such as tablets or capsules, will contain the HMG CoA reductase inhibitor in an amount from about 0.1 to about 100 mg, preferably from about 0.5 to about 80 mg, and more preferably from about 1 to about 40 mg.

A preferred oral dosage form, such as tablets or capsules will contain the squalene synthetase inhibitor in an amount of from about 10 to about 500 mg, preferably from about 25 to about 200 mg.

The hypolipidemic agent may also be a lipoxygenase inhibitor including a 15-lipoxygenase (15-LO) inhibitor such as benzimidazole derivatives as disclosed in WO 97/12615, 15-LO inhibitors as disclosed in WO 97/12613, isothiazolones as disclosed in WO 96/38144, and 15-LO inhibitors as disclosed by Sendobry et al “Attenuation of diet-induced atherosclerosis in rabbits with a highly selective 15-lipoxygenase inhibitor lacking significant antioxidant properties”, Brit. J Pharmacology 120, 1199-1206 (1997), and Cornicelli et al, “15-Lipoxygenase and its Inhibition: A Novel Therapeutic Target for Vascular Disease”, Current Pharmaceutical Design, 5, 11-20 (1999).

The compounds of formula I or II and the hypolipidemic agent may be employed together in the same oral dosage form or in separate oral dosage forms taken at the same time.

The compositions described above may be administered in the dosage forms as described above in single or divided doses of one to four times daily. It may be advisable to start a patient on a low dose combination and work up gradually to a high dose combination.

The preferred hypolipidemic agent is pravastatin, simvastatin, lovastatin, atorvastatin, fluvastatin or cerivastatin as well as niacin and/or cholestagel.

The other antidiabetic agent which may be optionally employed in combination with the compound of formula I or II may be 1, 2, 3 or more antidiabetic agents or antihyperglycemic agents including insulin secretagogues or insulin sensitizers, or other antidiabetic agents preferably having a mechanism of action different from the compounds of formula I or II of the invention, which may include biguanides, sulfonyl ureas, glucosidase inhibitors, PPAR γ agonists, such as thiazolidinediones, aP2 inhibitors, dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DP4) inhibitors, SGLT2 inhibitors, and/or meglitinides, as well as insulin, and/or glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1).

The other antidiabetic agent may be an oral antihyperglycemic agent preferably a biguanide such as metformin or phenformin or salts thereof, preferably metformin HCl.

Where the antidiabetic agent is a biguanide, the compounds of structure I or II will be employed in a weight ratio to biguanide within the range from about 0.001:1 to about 10:1, preferably from about 0.01:1 to about 5:1.

The other antidiabetic agent may also preferably be a sulfonyl urea such as glyburide (also known as glibenclamide), glimepiride (disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,379,785), glipizide, gliclazide or chlorpropamide, other known sulfonylureas or other antihyperglycemic agents which act on the ATP-dependent channel of the β-cells, with glyburide and glipizide being preferred, which may be administered in the same or in separate oral dosage forms.

The compounds of structure I or II will be employed in a weight ratio to the sulfonyl urea in the range from about 0.01:1 to about 100:1, preferably from about 0.02:1 to about 5:1.

The oral antidiabetic agent may also be a glucosidase inhibitor such as acarbose (disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,904,769) or miglitol (disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,639,436), which may be administered in the same or in a separate oral dosage forms.

The compounds of structure I or II will be employed in a weight ratio to the glucosidase inhibitor within the range from about 0.01:1 to about 100:1, preferably from about 0.05:1 to about 10:1.

The compounds of structure I or II may be employed in combination with a PPAR γ agonist such as a thiazolidinedione oral anti-diabetic agent or other insulin sensitizers (which has an insulin sensitivity effect in NIDDM patients) such as troglitazone (Warner-Lambert's Rezulin®, disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,572,912), rosiglitazone (SKB), pioglitazone (Takeda), Mitsubishi's MCC-555 (disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,594,016), Glaxo-Welcome's GL-262570, englitazone (CP-68722, Pfizer) or darglitazone (CP-86325, Pfizer, isaglitazone (MIT/J&J), JTT-501 (JPNT/P&U), L-895645 (Merck), R-119702 (Sankyo/WL), NN-2344 (Dr. Reddy/NN), or YM-440 (Yamanouchi), preferably rosiglitazone and pioglitazone.

The compounds of structure I or II will be employed in a weight ratio to the thiazolidinedione in an amount within the range from about 0.01:1 to about 100:1, preferably from about 0.05 to about 10:1.

The sulfonyl urea and thiazolidinedione in amounts of less than about 150 mg oral antidiabetic agent may be incorporated in a single tablet with the compounds of structure I or II.

The compounds of structure I or II may also be employed in combination with a antihyperglycemic agent such as insulin or with glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) such as GLP-1(1-36) amide, GLP-1(7-36) amide, GLP-1(7-37) (as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,614,492 to Habener, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference), as well as AC2993 (Amylin) and LY-315902 (Lilly), which may be administered via injection, intranasal, inhalation or by transdermal or buccal devices.

Where present, metformin, the sulfonyl ureas, such as glyburide, glimepiride, glipyride, glipizide, chlorpropamide and gliclazide and the glucosidase inhibitors acarbose or miglitol or insulin (injectable, pulmonary, buccal, or oral) may be employed in formulations as described above and in amounts and dosing as indicated in the Physician's Desk Reference (PDR).

Where present, metformin or salt thereof may be employed in amounts within the range from about 500 to about 2000 mg per day which may be administered in single or divided doses one to four times daily.

Where present, the thiazolidinedione anti-diabetic agent may be employed in amounts within the range from about 0.01 to about 2000 mg/day which may be administered in single or divided doses one to four times per day.

Where present insulin may be employed in formulations, amounts and dosing as indicated by the Physician's Desk Reference.

Where present GLP-1 peptides may be administered in oral buccal formulations, by nasal administration or parenterally as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,346,701 (TheraTech), U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,614,492 and 5,631,224 which are incorporated herein by reference.

The other antidiabetic agent may also be a PPAR α/γ dual agonist such as AR-HO39242 (Astra/Zeneca), GW-409544 (Glaxo-Wellcome), KRP297 (Kyorin Merck) as well as those disclosed by Murakami et al, “A Novel Insulin Sensitizer Acts As a Coligand for Peroxisome Proliferation-Activated Receptor Alpha (PPAR alpha) and PPAR gamma. Effect on PPAR alpha Activation on Abnormal Lipid Metabolism in Liver of Zucker Fatty Rats”, Diabetes 47, 1841-1847 (1998).

The antidiabetic agent may be an SGLT2 inhibitor such as disclosed in U.S. application Ser. No. 09/679,027, filed Oct. 4, 2000 employing dosages as set out therein. Preferred are the compounds designated as preferred in the above application.

The antidiabetic agent may be an aP2 inhibitor such as disclosed in U.S. application Ser. No. 09/391,053, filed Sep. 7, 1999, and in U.S. application Ser. No. 09/519,079, filed Mar. 6, 2000 employing dosages as set out herein. Preferred are the compounds designated as preferred in the above application.

The antidiabetic agent may be a DP4 inhibitor such as disclosed in U.S. application Ser. No. 09/788,173 filed Feb. 16, 2001 , WO99/38501, WO99/46272, WO99/67279 (PROBIODRUG), WO99/67278 (PROBIODRUG), WO99/61431 (PROBIODRUG), NVP-DPP728A (1-[[[2-[(5-cyanopyridin-2-yl)amino]ethyl]amino]acetyl]-2-cyano-(S)-pyrrolidine) (Novartis) (preferred) as disclosed by Hughes et al, Biochemistry, 38(36), 11597-11603, (1999), TSL-225 (tryptophyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-isoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid (disclosed by Yamada et al, Bioorg. & Med. Chem. Lett. 8 1537-1540 (1998), 2-cyanopyrrolidides and 4-cyanopyrrolidides as disclosed by Ashworth et al, Bioorg. & Med. Chem. Lett., Vol. 6, No. 22, pp 1163-1166 and 2745-2748 (1996) employing dosages as set out in the above references.

The meglitinide which may optionally be employed in combination with the compound of formula I or II of the invention may be repaglinide, nateglinide (Novartis) or KAD1229 (PF/Kissei), with repaglinide being preferred.

The compound of formula I or II will be employed in a weight ratio to the meglitinide, PPAR γ agonist, PPAR α/γ dual agonist, aP2 inhibitor, DP4 inhibitor or SGLT2 inhibitor within the range from about 0.01:1 to about 100:1, preferably from about 0.05 to about 10:1.

The other type of therapeutic agent which may be optionally employed with a compound of formula I or II may be 1, 2, 3 or more of an anti-obesity agent including a beta 3 adrenergic agonist, a lipase inhibitor, a serotonin (and dopamine) reuptake inhibitor, an aP2 inhibitor, a thyroid receptor agonist and/or an anorectic agent.

The beta 3 adrenergic agonist which may be optionally employed in combination with a compound of formula I or II may be AJ9677 (Takeda/Dainippon), L750355 (Merck), or CP331648. (Pfizer) or other known beta 3 agonists as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,541,204, 5,770,615, 5,491,134, 5,776,983 and 5,488,064, with AJ9677, L750,355 and CP331648 being preferred.

The lipase inhibitor which may be optionally employed in combination with a compound of formula I or II may be orlistat or ATL-962 (Alizyme), with orlistat being preferred.

The serotonin (and dopoamine) reuptake inhibitor which may be optionally employed in combination with a compound of formula I or II may be sibutramine, topiramate (Johnson & Johnson) or axokine (Regeneron), with sibutramine and topiramate being preferred.

The thyroid receptor agonist which may be optionally employed in combination with a compound of formula I or II may be a thyroid receptor ligand as disclosed in WO97/21993 (U. Cal SF), WO99/00353 (KaroBio), WO2000039077 (KaroBio, particularly in priority document GB98/28442), and U.S. Provisional Application 60/183,223 filed Feb. 17, 2000, with compounds of the KaroBio applications and the above U.S. provisional application being preferred.

The anorectic agent which may be optionally employed in combination with a compound of formula I or II may be dexamphetamine, phentermine, phenylpropanolamine or mazindol, with dexamphetamine being preferred.

The various anti-obesity agents described above may be employed in the same dosage form with the compound of formula I or II or in different dosage forms, in dosages and regimens as generally known in the art or in the PDR.

The antihypertensive agents which may be employed in combination with the compound of formula I or II of the invention include ACE inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor antagonists, NEP/ACE inhibitors, as well as calcium channel blockers, β-adrenergic blockers and other types of antihypertensive agents including diuretics.

The angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor which may be employed herein includes those containing a mercapto (—S—) moiety such as substituted proline derivatives, such as any of those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,046,889 to Ondetti et al mentioned above, with captopril, that is, 1-[(2S)-3-mercapto-2-methylpropionyl]-L-proline, being preferred, and mercaptoacyl derivatives of substituted prolines such as any of those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,316,906 with zofenopril being preferred.

Other examples of mercapto containing ACE inhibitors that may be employed herein include rentiapril (fentiapril, Santen) disclosed in Clin. Exp. Pharmacol. Physiol. 10:131 (1983); as well as pivopril and YS980.

Other examples of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors which may be employed herein include any of those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,374,829 mentioned above, with N-(1-ethoxycarbonyl-3-phenylpropyl)-L-alanyl-L-proline, that is, enalapril, being preferred, any of the phosphonate substituted amino or imino acids or salts disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,452,790 with (S)-1-[6-amino-2-[[hydroxy-(4-phenylbutyl)phosphinyl]oxy]-1-oxohexyl]-L-proline or (ceronapril) being preferred, phosphinylalkanoyl prolines disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,168,267 mentioned above with fosinopril being preferred, any of the phosphinylalkanoyl substituted prolines disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,337,201, and the phosphonamidates disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,432,971 discussed above.

Other examples of ACE inhibitors that may be employed herein include Beecham's BRL 36,378 as disclosed in European Patent Application Nos. 80822 and 60668; Chugai's MC-838 disclosed in C.A. 102:72588v and Jap. J. Pharmacol. 40:373 (1986); Ciba-Geigy's CGS 14824 (3-([1-ethoxycarbonyl-3-phenyl-(1S)-propyl]amino)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-2-oxo-1-(3S)-benzazepine-1 acetic acid HCl) disclosed in U.K. Patent No. 2103614 and CGS 16,617 (3(S)-[[(1S)-5-amino-1-carboxypentyl]amino]-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-2-oxo-1H-1-benzazepine-1-ethanoic acid) disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,473,575; cetapril (alacepril, Dainippon) disclosed in Eur. Therap. Res. 39:671 (1986); 40:543 (1986); ramipril (Hoechsst) disclosed in Euro. Patent No. 79-022 and Curr. Ther. Res. 40:74 (1986); Ru 44570 (Hoechst) disclosed in Arzneimittelforschung 34:1254 (1985), cilazapril (Hoffman-LaRoche) disclosed in J. Cardiovasc. Pharmacol. 9:39 (1987); R 31-2201 (Hoffman-LaRoche) disclosed in FEBS Lett. 165:201 (1984); lisinopril (Merck), indalapril (delapril) disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,385,051; indolapril (Schering) disclosed in J. Cardiovasc. Pharmacol. 5:643, 655 (1983), spirapril (Schering) disclosed in Acta. Pharmacol. Toxicol. 59 (Supp. 5):173 (1986); perindopril (Servier) disclosed in Eur. J. clin. Pharmacol. 31:519 (1987); quinapril (Warner-Lambert) disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,344,949 and CI925 (Warner-Lambert) ([3S-[2[R(*)R(*)]]3R(*)]-2-[2-[[1-(ethoxy-carbonyl)-3-phenylpropyl]amino]-1-oxopropyl]-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-6,7-dimethoxy-3-isoquinolinecarboxylic acid HCl)disclosed in Pharmacologist 26:243, 266 (1984), WY-44221 (Wyeth) disclosed in J. Med. Chem. 26:394 (1983).

Preferred ACE inhibitors are captopril, fosinopril, enalapril, lisinopril, quinapril, benazepril, fentiapril, ramipril and moexipril.

NEP/ACE inhibitors may also be employed herein in that they possess neutral endopeptidase (NEP) inhibitory activity and angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity. Examples of NEP/ACE inhibitors suitable for use herein include those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,362,727, 5,366,973, 5,225,401, 4,722,810, 5,223,516, 4,749,688, U.S. Pat. No. 5,552,397, U.S. Pat. No. 5,504,080, U.S. Pat. No. 5,612,359, U.S. Pat. No. 5,525,723, European Patent Application 0599,444, 0481,522, 0599,444, 0595,610, European Patent Application 0534363A2, 534,396. and 534,492, and European Patent Application 0629627A2.

Preferred are those NEP/ACE inhibitors and dosages thereof which are designated as preferred in the above patents/applications which U.S. patents are incorporated herein by reference; most preferred are omapatrilat, BMS 189,921 ([S-(R*,R*)]-hexahydro-6-[(2-mercapto-1-oxo-3-phenylpropyl)amino]-2,2-dimethyl-7-oxo-1H-azepine-1-acetic acid (gemopatrilat)) and CGS 30440.

The angiotensin II receptor antagonist (also referred to herein as angiotensin II antagonist or All antagonist) suitable for use herein includes, but is not limited to, irbesartan, losartan, valsartan, candesartan, telmisartan, tasosartan or eprosartan, with irbesartan, losartan or valsartan being preferred.

A preferred oral dosage form, such as tablets or capsules, will contain the ACE inhibitor or All antagonist in an amount within the range from abut 0.1 to about 500 mg, preferably from about 5 to about 200 mg and more preferably from about 10 to about 150 mg.

For parenteral administration, the ACE inhibitor, angiotensin II antagonist or NEP/ACE inhibitor will be employed in an amount within the range from about 0.005 mg/kg to about 10 mg/kg and preferably from about 0.01 mg/kg to about 1 mg/kg.

Where a drug is to be administered intravenously, it will be formulated in conventional vehicles, such as distilled water, saline, Ringer's solution or other conventional carriers.

It will be appreciated that preferred dosages of ACE inhibitor and All antagonist as well as other antihypertensives disclosed herein will be as set out in the latest edition of the Physician's Desk Reference (PDR).

Other examples of preferred antihypertensive agents suitable for use herein include omapatrilat (Vanlev®) amlodipine besylate (Norvasc®), prazosin HCl (Minipress®), verapamil, nifedipine, nadolol, diltiazem, felodipine, nisoldipine, isradipine, nicardipine, atenolol, carvedilol, sotalol, terazosin, doxazosin, propranolol, and clonidine HCl (Catapres®).

Diuretics which may be employed in combination with compounds of formula I or II include hydrochlorothiazide, torasemide, furosemide, spironolactono, and indapamide.

Antiplatelet agents which may be employed in combination with compounds of formula I or II of the invention include aspirin, clopidogrel, ticlopidine, dipyridamole, abciximab, tirofiban, eptifibatide, anagrelide, and ifetroban, with clopidogrel and aspirin being preferred.

The antiplatelet drugs may be employed in amounts as indicated in the PDR. Ifetroban may be employed in amounts as set out in U.S. Pat. No. 5,100,889.

Antiosteoporosis agents suitable for use herein in combination with the compounds of formula I or II of the invention include parathyroid hormone or bisphosphonates, such as MK-217 (alendronate) (Fosamax®).

Accordingly, an embodiment of the present invention includes a pharmaceutical combination comprising a compound of formula (I) or (II) and an immunosuppressant, an anticancer agent, an anti-viral agent, an anti-inflammatory agent, an anti-fungal agent, an anti-biotic, an anti-vascular hyperproliferation agent, an anti-depressant agent, a lipid-lowering agent, a lipid modulating agent, an antidiabetic agent, an anti-obesity agent, an antihypertensive agent, a platelet aggregation inhibitor, and/or an antiosteoporosis agent, wherein the antidiabetic agent is 1, 2, 3 or more of a biguanide, a sulfonyl urea, a glucosidase inhibitor, a PPAR γ agonist, a PPAR α/γ dual agonist, an SGLT2 inhibitor, a DP4 inhibitor, an aP2 inhibitor, an insulin sensitizer, a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), insulin and/or a meglitinide, wherein the anti-obesity agent is a beta 3 adrenergic agonist, a lipase inhibitor, a serotonin (and dopamine) reuptake inhibitor, a thyroid receptor agonist, an aP2 inhibitor and/or an anorectic agent, wherein the lipid lowering agent is an MTP inhibitor, an HMG CoA reductase inhibitor, a squalene synthetase inhibitor, a fibric acid derivative, an upregulator of LDL receptor activity, a lipoxygenase inhibitor, or an ACAT inhibitor, wherein the antihypertensive agent is an ACE inhibitor, angiotensin II receptor antagonist, NEP/ACE inhibitor, calcium channel blocker and/or β-adrenergic blocker. More preferred are pharmaceutical combinations wherein the antidiabetic agent is 1, 2, 3 or more of metformin, glyburide, glimepiride, glipyride, glipizide, chlorpropamide, gliclazide, acarbose, miglitol, pioglitazone, troglitazone, rosiglitazone, insulin, Gl-262570, isaglitazone, JTT-501, NN-2344, L895645, YM-440, R-119702, AJ9677, repaglinide, nateglinide, KAD1129, AR-HO39242, GW-409544, KRP297, AC2993, LY315902, P32/98 and/or NVP-DPP-728A, wherein the anti-obesity agent is orlistat, ATL-962, AJ9677, L750355, CP331648, sibutramine, topiramate, axokine, dexamphetamine, phentermine, phenylpropanolamine, and/or mazindol, wherein the lipid lowering agent is pravastatin, lovastatin, simvastatin, atorvastatin, cerivastatin, fluvastatin, itavastatin, visastatin, fenofibrate, gemfibrozil, clofibrate, avasimibe, TS-962, MD-700, cholestagel, niacin and/or LY295427, wherein the antihypertensive agent is an ACE inhibitor which is captopril, fosinopril, enalapril, lisinopril, quinapril, benazepril, fentiapril, ramipril or moexipril; an NEP/ACE inhibitor which is omapatrilat, [S[(R*,R*)]-hexahydro-6-[(2-mercapto-1-oxo-3-phenylpropyl)amino]-2,2-dimethyl-7-oxo-1H-azepine-1-acetic acid (gemopatrilat) or CGS 30440;

an angiotensin II receptor antagonist which is irbesartan, losartan or valsartan;

amlodipine besylate, prazosin HCl, verapamil, nifedipine, nadolol, propranolol, carvedilol, or clonidine HCl, wherein the platelet aggregation inhibitor is aspirin, clopidogrel, ticlopidine, dipyridamole or ifetroban;

the immunosuppressant is a cyclosporin, mycophenolate, interferon-beta, deoxyspergolin, FK-506 or Ant.-IL-2;

the anti-cancer agent is azathiprine, 5-fluorouracel, cyclophosphamide, cisplatin, methotrexate, thiotepa, or carboplatin;

the anti-viral agent is abacavir, aciclovir, ganciclovir, zidanocin, or vidarabine; and

the antiinflammatory drug is ibuprofen, celecoxib, rofecoxib, aspirin, naproxen, ketoprofen, diclofenac sodium, indomethacin, piroxicam, prednisone, dexamethasone, hydrocortisone, or triamcinolone diacetate.

Dosages employed for the above drugs will be as set out in the Physician's Desk Reference.

Pharmaceutical Formulations

The pharmaceutical composition of the invention includes a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, adjuvant or vehicle that may be administered to a subject, together with a compound of the present invention, and which does not destroy the pharmacological activity thereof. Pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, adjuvants and vehicles that may be used in the pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention include, but are not limited to, the following: ion exchangers, alumina, aluminum stearate, lecithin, self-emulsifying drug delivery systems (“SEDDS”) such as d(-tocopherol polyethyleneglycol 1000 succinate), surfactants used in pharmaceutical dosage forms such as Tweens or other similar polymeric delivery matrices, serum proteins such as human serum albumin, buffer substances such as phosphates, glycine, sorbic acid, potassium sorbate, partial glyceride mixtures of saturated vegetable fatty acids, water, salts or electrolytes such as protamine sulfate, disodium hydrogen phosphate, potassium hydrogen phosphate, sodium chloride, zinc salts, colloidal silica, magnesium trisilicate, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, cellulose-based substances, polyethylene glycol, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, polyacrylates, waxes, polyethylene-polyoxypropylene-block polymers, polyethylene glycol and wool fat. Cyclodextrins such as α-, β- and γ-cyclodextrin, or chemically modified derivatives such as hydroxyalkylcyclodextrins, including 2- and 3-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrins, or other solubilized derivatives may also be used to enhance delivery of the modulators of the present invention.

The compositions of the present invention may contain other therapeutic agents as described below, and may be formulated, for example, by employing conventional solid or liquid vehicles or diluents, as well as pharmaceutical additives of a type appropriate to the mode of desired administration (for example, excipients, binders, preservatives, stabilizers, flavors, etc.) according to techniques such as those well known in the art of pharmaceutical formulation.

The compounds of the invention may be administered by any suitable means, for example, orally, such as in the form of tablets, capsules, granules or powders; sublingually; buccally; parenterally, such as by subcutaneous, intravenous, intramuscular, or intrasternal injection or infusion techniques (e.g., as sterile injectable aqueous or non-aqueous solutions or suspensions); nasally such as by inhalation spray; topically, such as in the form of a cream or ointment; or rectally such as in the form of suppositories; in dosage unit formulations containing non-toxic, pharmaceutically acceptable vehicles or diluents. The compounds of the invention may, for example, be administered in a form suitable for immediate release or extended release. Immediate release or extended release may be achieved by the use of suitable pharmaceutical compositions including the compounds of the invention, or, particularly in the case of extended release, by the use of devices such as subcutaneous implants or osmotic pumps. The compounds of the invention may also be administered liposomally.

Exemplary compositions for oral administration include suspensions which may contain, for example, microcrystalline cellulose for imparting bulk, alginic acid or sodium alginate as a suspending agent, methylcellulose as a viscosity enhancer, and sweeteners or flavoring agents such as those known in the art; and immediate release tablets which may contain, for example, microcrystalline cellulose, dicalcium phosphate, starch, magnesium stearate and/or lactose and/or other excipients, binders, extenders, disintegrants, diluents and lubricants such as those known in the art. The present compunds may also be delivered through the oral cavity by sublingual and/or buccal administration. Molded tablets, compressed tablets or freeze-dried tablets are exemplary forms which may be used. Exemplary compositions include those formulating the compound(s) of the invention with fast dissolving diluents such as mannitol, lactose, sucrose and/or cyclodextrins. Also included in such formulations may be high molecular weight excipients such as celluloses (Avicel) or polyethylene glycols (PEG). Such formulations may also include an excipient to aid mucosal adhesion such as hydroxy propyl cellulose (HPC), hydroxy propyl methyl cellulose (HPMC), sodium carboxy methyl cellulose (SCMC), maleic anhydride copolymer (e.g., Gantrez), and agents to control release such as polyacrylic copolymer (e.g., Carbopol 934). Lubricants, glidants, flavors, coloring agents and stabilizers may also be added for ease of fabrication and use.

Exemplary compositions for nasal aerosol or inhalation administration include solutions in saline which may contain, for example, benzyl alcohol or other suitable preservatives, absorption promoters to enhance bioavailability, and/or other solubilizing or dispersing agents such as those known in the art.

Exemplary compositions for parenteral administration include injectable solutions or suspensions which may contain, for example, suitable non-toxic, parenterally acceptable diluents or solvents, such as mannitol, 1,3-butanediol, water, Ringer's solution, an isotonic sodium chloride solution, or other suitable dispersing or wetting and suspending agents, including synthetic mono- or diglycerides, and fatty acids, including oleic acid. The term “parenteral” as used herein includes subcutaneous, intracutaneous, intravenous, intramuscular, intraarticular, intraarterial, intrasynovial, intrastemal, intrathecal, intralesional and intracranial injection or infusion techniques.

Exemplary compositions for rectal administration include suppositories which may contain, for example, a suitable non-irritating excipient, such as cocoa butter, synthetic glyceride esters or polyethylene glycols, which are solid at ordinary temperatures, but liquify and/or dissolve in the rectal cavity to release the drug.

Exemplary compositions for topical administration include a topical carrier such as Plastibase (mineral oil gelled with polyethylene).

The effective amount of a compound of the present invention may be determined by one of ordinary skill in the art, and includes exemplary dosage amounts for an adult human of from about 0.1 to 500 mg/kg of body weight of active compound per day, or between 5 and 2000 mg per day which may be administered in a single dose or in the form of individual divided doses, such as from 1 to 5 times per day. It will be understood that the specific dose level and frequency of dosage for any particular subject may be varied and will depend upon a variety of factors including the activity of the specific compound employed, the metabolic stability and length of action of that compound, the species, age, body weight, general health, sex and diet of the subject, the mode and time of administration, rate of excretion, drug combination, and severity of the particular condition. Preferred subjects for treatment include animals, most preferably mammalian species such as humans, and domestic animals such as dogs, cats and the like.

A typical capsule for oral administration contains compounds of structure I or II (250 mg), lactose (75 mg) and magnesium stearate (15 mg). The mixture is passed through a 60 mesh sieve and packed into a No. 1 gelatin capsule.

A typical injectable preparation is produced by aseptically placing 250 mg of compounds of structure I or II into a vial, aseptically freeze-drying and sealing. For use, the contents of the vial are mixed with 2 mL of physiological saline, to produce an injectable preparation.

The compounds of formula (I or II) of the invention are glucocorticoid receptor modulators as shown either by their ability to bind glucocorticoid receptors in GR binding assays, or by their ability to inhibit AP-1 activity as indicated in cellular transrespressional assays, and cause none to minimal transactivation as indicated in cellular transscriptional assays.

Compounds of the invention, including the compounds described in the examples hereof, have been tested in at least one of the assays described below and have glucocorticoid receptor (GR)/Dexamethasone (Dex) inhibition activity (>25% at 10 μM, preferably >95% at 10 μM) and/or AP-1 inhibition activity (EC₅₀ less than 15 μM).

Identical and/or similar assays are described in copending provisional application No. 60/396,907, filed Jul. 18, 2002 which is incorporated in its entireity herein by reference.

GR (Dex) Binding Assay

In order to measure the binding of compounds to Site I on the glucocorticoid receptor a commercially available kit was used (Glucocorticoid receptor competitor assay kit, Panvera Co., Madison, Wis.). Briefly, a cell lysate containing recombinantly expressed human full-length glucocorticoid receptor was mixed with a fluorescently labeled glucocorticoid (4 nM FITC-dexamethasone) plus or minus test molecule. After one hour at room temperature, the fluorescence polarization (FP) of the samples were measured. The FP of a mixture of receptor, fluorescent probe (i.e. FITC-dexamethasone) and lmM dexamethasone represented background fluorescence or 100% inhibition, whereas, the FP of the mixture without dexamethasone was taken to be 100% binding. The percentage inhibition of test molecules were then compared to the sample with 1 mM dexamethasone and expressed as % relative binding activity with dexamethasone being 100% and no inhibition is 0%. Test molecules were analyzed in the concentration range from 0.1 nM to 40 μM.

Site I binding assays for any NHR (Nuclear Hormone Receptor) are conducted similarly to the above. An appropriate cell lysate or purified NHR is used as the source of the NHR. The fluorescent probe and unlabeled competitor are appropriate for the specific NHR, i.e. are ligands for the specific NHR.

Cellular Transrepressional Assay

To measure the ability of test molecules to inhibit AP-1 induced transcriptional activity we utilized an A549 cell which was stably transfected with a plasmid containing 7×AP-1 DNA binding sites (pAP-1-Luc plasmid, Stratagene Co. La Jolla, Calif.) followed by the gene for luciferase. Cells were activated with 10 ng/ml of phorbol myristic acid (PMA) plus or minus test molecules for 7 hours. After 7 hours a luciferase reagent was added to measure luciferase enzymatic activity in the cell. After a 10 minute incubation of luciferase reagent with cells, luminescence was measured in a TopCount luminescence counter. Repression of AP-1 activity was calculated as the percentage decrease in the signal induced by PMA alone. Test molecules were analyzed in the concentration range from 0.1 nM to 40 μM. EC50s were determined by using standard curve fitting methods such as Excel fit (Microsoft Co.). An EC50 is the test molecule concentration at which there is a 50% repression of the maximal inhibition of transcription, i.e. a 50% reduction of AP-1 activity.

Other reporters and cell lines also may be used in a cellular transrepressional assay. A similar assay is performed in which NF-κB activity is measured. A plasmid containing NF-κB DNA binding sites is used, such as pNF-kB-Luc, (Stratagene, La Jolla Calif.), and PMA or another stimulus, such as TNF-α or lipopolysaccharide, is used to activate the NF-κB pathway. NF-κB assays similar to that described in Yamamoto K., et al., J Biol Chem December 29; 270(52):31315-20 (1995) may be used.

The cellular transrepressional assays described above may be used to measure transrepression by any NHR. One of skill in the art will understand that assays may require the addition of components, such as a stimulus (eg. PMA, lipopolysaccharide, TNF-α, etc) which will induce transcription mediated by AP-1 or NF-κB. Additionally, AR mediated transrepression may be measured by the assay described in Palvimo J J, et al. J Biol Chem September 27; 271(39):24151-6 (1996), and PR mediated transrepression may be measured by the assay described in Kalkhoven E., et al. J Biol Chem March 15; 271(11):6217-24 (1996).

Abbreviations

The following abbreviations are herein throughout the Specification and Examples:

-   Ph=phenyl -   Bn=benzyl -   t-Bu=tertiary butyl -   Me=methyl -   Et=ethyl -   TMS=trimethylsilyl -   TMSN₃=trimethylsilyl azide -   TBS=tert-butyldimethylsilyl -   FMOC=fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl -   Boc=tert-butoxycarbonyl -   Cbz=carbobenzyloxy or carbobenzoxy or benzyloxycarbonyl -   THF=tetrahydrofuran -   Et₂O=diethyl ether -   hex=hexanes -   EtOAc=ethyl acetate -   DMF=dimethyl formamide -   MeOH=methanol -   EtOH=ethanol -   i-PrOH=isopropanol -   DMSO=dimethyl sulfoxide -   DME=1,2 dimethoxyethane -   DCE=1,2 dichloroethane -   HMPA=hexamethyl phosphoric triamide -   HOAc or AcOH=acetic acid -   TFA=trifluoroacetic acid -   TFAA=trifluoroacetic anhydride -   i-Pr₂NEt=diisopropylethylamine -   Et₃N=triethylamine -   NMM=N-methyl morpholine -   DMAP=4-dimethylaminopyridine -   NaBH₄=sodium borohydride -   NaBH(OAc)₃=sodium triacetoxyborohydride -   DIBALH=diisobutyl aluminum hydride -   LAH or LiAlH₄=lithium aluminum hydride -   n-BuLi=n-butyllithium -   LDA=lithium diisopropylamide -   Pd/C=palladium on carbon -   PtO₂=platinum oxide -   KOH=potassium hydroxide -   NaOH=sodium hydroxide -   LiOH=lithium hydroxide -   K₂CO₃=potassium carbonate -   NaHCO₃=sodium bicarbonate -   DBU=1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene -   EDC (or EDC.HCl) or EDCI (or EDCI.HCl) or     EDAC=3-ethyl-3′-(dimethylamino)propyl-carbodiimide hydrochloride (or     1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride) -   HOBT or HOBT.H₂O=1-hydroxybenzotriazole hydrate -   HOAT=1-Hydroxy-7-azabenzotriazole -   BOP reagent=benzotriazol-1-yloxy-tris (dimethylamino) phosphonium     hexafluorophosphate -   NaN(TMS)₂=sodium hexamethyldisilazide or sodium     bis(trimethylsilyl)amide -   Ph₃P=triphenylphosphine -   Pd(OAc)₂=Palladium acetate -   (Ph₃P)₄Pd^(o)=tetrakis triphenylphosphine palladium -   DEAD=diethyl azodicarboxylate -   DIAD=diisopropyl azodicarboxylate -   Cbz-Cl=benzyl chloroformate -   CAN=ceric ammonium nitrate -   SAX=Strong Anion Exchanger -   SCX=Strong Cation Exchanger -   Ar=argon -   N₂=nitrogen -   min=minute(s) -   h or hr=hour(s) -   L=liter -   mL=milliliter -   μL=microliter -   g=gram(s) -   mg=milligram(s) -   mol=moles -   mmol=millimole(s) -   meq=milliequivalent -   RT=room temperature -   sat or sat'd=saturated -   aq.=aqueous -   TLC=thin layer chromatography -   HPLC=high performance liquid chromatography -   LC/MS=high performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry -   MS or Mass Spec=mass spectrometry -   NMR=nuclear magnetic resonance -   NMR spectral data: s=singlet; d=doublet; m=multiplet; br=broad;     t=triplet -   mp=melting point

EXAMPLES

The following Examples illustrate embodiments of the inventive compounds and starting materials, and are not intended to limit the scope of the claims.

Example 1 15-methyl-N-[3-(1-naphthyl)-1H-1,2,4-triazol-5-yl]-8-nitrotetracyclo[6.6.2.0^(2,7).0^(9,14)]hexadeca-2,4,6,9,11,13-hexaene-15-carboxamide

Step a 5-(naphthalen-1-yl)-1H-1,2,4-triazol-3-amine

To a stirred mixture of N-aminoguanidine nitrate (2.74 g, 20 mmol) and anhydrous methanol (25 mL) cooled to 0° C. was added sodium methoxide solution (25% in methanol, 4.57 mL, 20 mmol) dropwise. The resulting mixture was stirred at 0° C. for 10 min before methyl 1-naphthoate (0.93 g, 5 mmol) was added. The mixture was then stirred at 0° C. for 10 min, RT for 10 min, 70° C. for 22 hr, and 75° C. for 19 hr. The reaction mixture was cooled and diluted with 10 mL of water. Concentration under vacuum gave a slightly cloudy solution which was acidified to pH=3-4 with 3 N aqueous HCl solution. The solid obtained was filtered, washed with water, and triturated with ethanol to give 0.55 g (52% yield) of 5-(naphthalen-1-yl)-1H-1,2,4-triazol-3-amine as a yellow solid. (M+H)⁺=211.16.

Step b 1-[(15-methyl-8-nitrotetracyclo[6.6.2.0^(2,7).0^(9,14)]hexadeca-2,4,6,9,11,13-hexaen-15-yl)carbonyl]-3-(1-naphthyl)-1H-1,2,4-triazol-5-amine

To a stirred solution of 15-methyl-8-nitrotetracyclo[6.6.2.0^(2,7).0^(9,14)]hexadeca-2,4,6,9,11,13-hexaene-15-carboxylic acid (22 mg, 0.07 mmol, prepared according to WO04009017), 1-hydroxybenzotriazole (14 mg, 0.11 mmol), and N-ethyl-N,N-diisopropylamine (0.25 mL) in anhydrous acetonitrile (2 mL) was added EDCI (34 mg, 0.18 mmol) at RT under argon. After the mixture was stirred at RT for 10 min, 5-(naphthalen-1-yl)-1H-1,2,4-triazol-3-amine (22 mg, 0.1 mmol) was added. The reaction mixture was stirred at RT overnight and at 80° C. for 1 h. After the solvents were removed, the residue was partitioned between methylene chloride and saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution. The aqueous solution was extracted with methylene chloride. The combined organic solutions were dried (Na₂SO₄), concentrated and purified by silica gel chromatography to give 33 mg (94% yield) of the title compound as a white solid. (M+H)⁺=502.26.

Step c

To a solution of 1-[(15-methyl-8-nitrotetracyclo[6.6.2.0^(2,7).0^(9,14)]hexadeca-2,4,6,9,11,13-hexaen-15-yl)carbonyl]-3-(1-naphthyl)-1H-1,2,4-triazol-5-amine (6 mg, 0.01 mmol) in anhydrous THF (1.5 mL) was added sodium hydride (60% dispersion in mineral oil, 2 mg, 0.05 mmol). The mixture was stirred at RT for 30 min before saturated ammonium hydrochloride aqueous solution was added to quench the reaction. The mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate. The ethyl acetate layer was dried (Na₂SO₄) and concentrated. HPLC purification (YMC S5 ODS column 20×100 mm, 10-90% aqueous methanol over 10 minutes containing 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid, 20 mL/min, monitoring at 220 nm) gave 1 mg (20% yield) of Example 1. (M+H)⁺=502.12. ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 11.89 (s, 1H), 9.31 (s, 1H), 8.92 (d, J=8 Hz, 1H), 8.08 (d, J=8 Hz, 1H), 7.93 (m, 2H), 7.56 (m, 3H), 7.10-7.29 (m, 8H), 4.31 (s 1H), 3.32 (d, J=12 Hz, 1H), 2.03 (d, J=12 Hz, 1H), 1.09 (s, 3H).

Example 2 N-[3-(3-bromophenyl)-1H-1,2,4-triazol-5-yl]-8-cyano-15-methyltetracyclo[6.6.2.0^(2,7).0^(9,14)] hexadeca-2,4,6,9,11,13-hexaene-15-carboxamide

16-{[5-amino-3-(3-bromophenyl)-1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl]carbonyl}-16-methyltetracyclo[6.6.2.0^(2,7).0^(9,14)]hexadeca-2,4,6,9,11,13-hexaene-1-carbonitrile, prepared according to procedures (a) and (b) as in Example 1, (500 mg, 0.98 mmol) was treated with 3-pyridinesulfonic acid (320 mg, 2 mmol) and dimethylsulfone (3.2 g), and then heated at 160° C. under argon for 2 hr. HPLC purification (YMC S5 ODS column 20×100 mm, 10-90% aqueous methanol over 10 minutes containing 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid, 20 mL/min, monitoring at 220 mn) gave 96 mg (19% yield) of the title compound as a white solid. (M+H)⁺=512.05. ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 12.69 (s, 1H), 10.88 (s, 1H), 8.17 (s, 1H), 8.01 (d, J=8 Hz, 1H), 7.51-7.62 (m, 4H), 7.31-7.43 (m, 4H), 7.26 (t, J=8 Hz, 1H), 7.15 (t, J=8 Hz, 1H), 5.12 (s, 1H), 3.37 (d, J=12 Hz, 1H), 1.86 (d, J=12 Hz, 1H), 1.32 (s, 3H).

Example 3 8-cyano-15-methyl-N-{3-[3-(1H-pyrazol-4-yl)phenyl]-1H-1,2,4-triazol-5-yl}tetracyclo[6.6.2.0^(2,7).0^(9,14)]hexadeca-2,4,6,9,11,13-hexaene-15-carboxamide

A mixture of N-[3-(3-bromophenyl)-1H-1,2,4-triazol-5-yl]-8-cyano-15-methyltetracyclo[6.6.2.0^(2,7).0^(9,14)]hexadeca-2,4,6,9,11,13-hexaene-15-carboxamide (10 mg, 0.02 mmol, example 2), 4-(4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-1,3,2-dioxaborolan-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole (12 mg, 0.06 mmol), potassium phosphate aqueous solution (2 M, 0.02 mL, 0.04 mmol), tetrabutylammonium fluoride solution (1 M in THF, 0.08 mL, 0.08 mmol), and DMF (0.3 mL) was purged with nitrogen for 5 min before tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)palladium(0) (5 mg, 0.004 mmol) was added. The resulting mixture was purged with nitrogen for 10 min and then heated at 140° C. for 30 min in a microwave. Concentration and HPLC purification (YMC S5 ODS column 20×100 mm, 10-90% aqueous methanol over 10 minutes containing 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid, 20 mL/min, monitoring at 220 nm) gave 3.5 mg (30% yield) of Example 3 as a trifluoroacetic acid salt. (M+H)⁺=498.27. ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, CD₃OD): δ 8.17 (s, 1H), 7.97 (s, 2H), 7.78 (d, J4 Hz, 1H), 7.34-7.60 (m, 5 H), 7.21-7.28 (m, 3H), 7.03-7.15 (m, 2H, 4.71 (s, 1H), 3.26 (d, 1H), 1.67 (d, 1H), 1.12 (s, 3H).

Example 4 N-[3-(2-fluorophenyl)-1H-1,2,4-triazol-5-yl]-15-methyl-8-nitrotetracyclo[6.6.2.0^(2,7).0^(9,14)]hexadeca-2,4,6,9,11,13-hexaene-15-carboxamide

Step a methyl N-[(15-methyl-8-nitrotetracyclo[6.6.2.0^(2,7).0^(9,14)]hexadeca-2,4,6,9,11,13-hexaen-15-yl)carbonyl]imidothiocarbamate

To a solution of 15-methyl-8-nitrotetracyclo[6.6.2.0^(2,7).0^(9,14)]hexadeca-2,4,6,9,11,13-hexaene-15-carboxylic acid (618 mg, 2.0 mmol) in N,N-dimethylformide (2 drops) and anhydrous methylene chloride (20 mL) was added oxalyl chloride (0.44 mL, 5 mmol) dropwise at RT under argon. The resulting reaction mixture was stirred at RT for 2 hr and then concentrated. The residue was dissolved in methylene chloride and concentrated. The residue was redissolved in methylene chloride (10 mL) and added dropwise to a well stirred mixture of S-methylisothiourea sulfate (560 mg), methylene chloride (10 mL), and aqueous sodium hydroxide solution (1 N, 5 mL, 5 mmol) at 0° C. After the mixture was stirred vigorously at 0° C. for 1 hr, water was then added. The aqueous solution was extracted with methylene chloride. The methylene chloride layer was washed with water brine, and dried (Na₂SO₄). Concentration gave 735 mg (99% yield) of a colorless solid which was used as such for the subsequent step without further purification. (M+H)⁺=382.18

Step b

A mixture of methyl N-[(15-methyl-8-nitrotetracyclo[6.6.2.0^(2,7).0^(9,14)]hexadeca-2,4,6,9,11,13-hexaen-15-yl)carbonyl]imidothiocarbamate (15 mg, 0.04 mmol), 2-fluorobenzohydrazide (6 mg, 0.04 mmol), pyridinium p-toluenesulfonate (15 mg 0.06 mmol), and anhydrous pyridine (0.02 mL) was heated at 120° C. for 20 hr under argon. Concentration and HPLC purification (YMC S5 ODS column 20×100 mm, 10-90% aqueous methanol over 10 minutes containing 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid, 20 mL/min, monitoring at 220 nm) gave 11 mg (47% yield) of Example 4 as a trifluoroacetic acid salt. (M+H)⁺=470.16. ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, CD₃OD): δ 7.91 (t, 1H), 7.44-7.50 (m, 1H), 7.33-7.40 (m, 1H), 7.02-7.30 (m, 9H), 4.72 (s, 1H), 3.49 (d, J=12, 1H), 1.86 (d, J=12 Hz, 1H), 1.11 (s, 3H).

Example 5 (S)-8-cyano-15-methyl-N[-3-(3-pyridin-3-ylphenyl)-1H-1,2,4-triazol-5-yl]tetracyclo[6.6.2.0^(2,7).0^(9,14)]hexadeca-2,4,6,9,11,13-hexaene-15-carboxamide

Step a methyl 3-(pyridin-3-yl)benzoate

To a suspension of 3-(pyridin-3-yl)benzoic acid (0.8 g, 4 mmol) and N,N-dimethylformide (2 drops) in anhydrous methylene chloride (30 mL) was added oxalyl chloride (0.42 mL, 4.8 mmol) dropwise at 0° C. under argon. The mixture was stirred at RT for 3.5 hr and then concentrated. The yellow solid obtained was dissolved in anhydrous methanol (20 mL) at 0° C. After stirring at RT for 30 min, the mixture was concentrated. The residue was dissolved in ethyl acetate, washed with saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution, brine, and dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate. Concentration gave 0.84 g (99% yield) of methyl 3-(pyridin-3-yl)benzoate as a yellow solid. (M+H)⁺=214.16.

Step b 3-(pyridin-3-yl)benzohydrazide

To a stirred solution of methyl 3-(pyridin-3-yl)benzoate (190 mg, 0.89 mmol) in anhydrous methanol (1 mL) was added hydrazine (0.07 mL,). The solution was stirred at RT overnight before ethyl ether was added. The solid was filtered and washed with ethyl ether to give 67 mg (35% yield) of 3-(pyridin-3-yl)benzohydrazide as a white solid. An additional 120 mg of the product was recovered from the filtrate. (M+H)⁺=214.13

Step c

To a stirred solution of (S)-8-cyano-15-methyltetracyclo[6.6.2.0^(2,7).0^(9,14)]hexadeca-2,4,6,9,11,13-hexaene-15-carboxylic acid (29 mg, 0.1 mmol, WO04009017), triethylamine (0.017 mL, 0.12 mmol) in anhydrous toluene (0.5 mL) was added diphenylphosphoryl azide (0.026 mL, 0.12 mmol) at 0° C. under argon. The mixture was stirred at 0° C. for 20 min and RT for 1 hr. The resulting clear solution was added to a well stirred mixture of S-methylisoihiourea sulfate (35 mg), ethyl ether (0.5 mL), and aqueous sodium hydroxide solution (1 N, 0.25 mL, 0.25 mmol) at 0° C. After the mixture was stirred vigorously at 0° C. for 1 hr and RT for 2 hr, water was added and the aqueous solution was extracted with ethyl ether. The ether extracts were dried (Na₂SO₄) and concentrated. The colorless residue was mixed with 3-(pyridin-3-yl)benzohydrazide (21 mg, 0.1 mmol), (1R)-(−)-10-camphorsulfonic acid (35 mg, 0.15 mmol), and pyridine (0.4 mL). The mixture was heated at 120° C. for 20 hr. Concentration, HPLC purification (YMC S5 ODS column 20×100 mm, 10-90% aqueous methanol over 10 minutes containing 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid, 20 mL/min, monitoring at 220 nm), neutralization of the trifluoroacetic acid salt with saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate, and extraction with ethyl acetate gave 29 mg (57% yield) of Example 5 as a white solid. (M+H)⁺=509.24. ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 12.79 (s, 1H), 10.95 (s, 1H), 8.97 (s, 1H), 8.64 (s, 1H), 8.34 (s, 1H), 8.09 (m, 2H), 7.74 (d J=8 Hz, 1H), 7.47-7.63 (m, 5H), 7.31-7.40 (m, 3H), 7.23 (t, J=8 Hz, 1H), 7.13 (t, J=8 Hz, 1H), 5.14 (s, 1H), 3.41 (d, J=12 Hz, 1H), 1.87 (d, J=12 Hz, 1H), 1.33 (s, 3H).

Examples 6 to 32

Examples 6 to 32, described in Table 1, were prepared by one of the routes described in examples 1-5 above. TABLE 1 LC Retention Example Time (Min.)/ LC-MS Procedure of No. Structure Column* [M + H]⁺ Example 6

3.71/A 496.18 1 7

3.76/A 466.15 2 8

4.20/A 528.24 2 9

3.95/A 482.29 2 10

4.10/A 532.02 2 11

3.39/A 529.23 3 12

4.28/A 534.24 3 13

4.02/A 547.24 3 14

3.76/A 586.21 3 15

3.89/A 565.29 3 16

3.74/A 423.31 3 By-product 17

3.32/B 509.26 3 18

3.07/A 524.27 3 19

3.74/A 532.15 4 20

4.02/A 532.13 4 21

3.55/A 482.17 4 22

3.76/A 468.15 4 23

4.05/A 572.10 2 24

2.56/A 510.18 4 25

3.83/A 494.17 3 By-product 26

2.94/A 453.17 4 27

3.92/A 528.17 4 28

3.75/A 458.21 4 29

3.11/A 453.17 4 30

3.82/A 546.04 4 31

3.69/A 452.14 3 By-product 32

3.14/A 509.23 5 *HPLC setup: Column: A: YMC S5 CombiScreen column 4.6 × 50 mm B: YMC S5 ODS column 4.6 × 50 mm Solvents: 10-90% aqueous methanol over 4 minutes containing 0.2% phosphoric acid, Flow rate: 4 mL/min, Detection: UV at 220 nm

Example 32 (99% ee) were prepared from the corresponding (R) acid, the preparation of which is described in WO04009017.

Example 33

Step 1

An Emry™ process vial was charged with 4-(3-bromo-phenyl)-thiazol-2-ylamine (100 mg, 0.392 mmol, prepared from reaction of 2-bromo-1-(3-bromo-phenyl)-ethanone and thiourea in ethanol at room temperature overnight) and phenylboronic acid (96 mg, 0.784 mmol), tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)palladium(0) (46 mg, 0.04 mmol), 0.4 mL of 2M K₂CO₃, and 3 mL of DMF. The reaction mixture was degassed by bubbling nitrogen through for 15 min, then sealed and exposed to microwave irradiation for 30 min at 150° C. The reaction was cooled, filtered and purified by prep HPLC (column: YMC, C-18 Ballistic, 30×100 mm; 10-90% aq CH3OH/0.1% TFA, 25 mL/min. flow rate, 220 nm detection wavelength, same for compounds hereafter unless noted) to give the TFA salt of 4-biphenyl-3-yl-thiazol-2-ylamine (76 mg, 77% yield). LC/MS (m/z 253.22 (M−H)⁺); HPLC (Column: Shimadzu VP-ODS, C-18 Ballistic; 10-90% aq CH3OH/0.1% H3PO4, same for compounds hereafter unless noted) Rt: 2.59 min.

Step 2

To a solution of 15-methyl-8-nitrotetracyclo[6.6.2.0^(2,7).0^(9,14)]hexadeca-2,4,6,9,11,13-hexaene-15-carboxylic acid (30 mg, 0.1 mmol, prepared according to WO04009017), in CH3CN (2.5 mL) were added 1-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]-3-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC) (30 mg, 0.15 mmol) and 1-hydroxy-7-benzotriazole (HOBt) (21 mg, 0.15 mmol). After stirring for 5 minutes, to the solution were added the free base of 4-biphenyl-3-yl-thiazol-2-ylamine (25 mg, 0.1 mmol) and diisopropylethyl amine (47 mg, 0.063 ml, 0.364 mmol). The reaction was heated at 90° C. for 18 hours. The crude product mixture was cooled, filtered and purified by prep HPLC to give Example 33 as a white solid (16.5 mg, 30% yield). LC/MS (m/z 544.2 (M+H)⁺); HPLC Rt: 4.487 min.

Example 34

Step 1

In a similar manner to Example 1, Step 2, the coupling reaction of 15-methyl-8-nitrotetracyclo[6.6.2.0^(2,7).0^(9,14)]hexadeca-2,4,6,9,11,13-hexaene-15-carboxylic acid (200 mg, 0.647 mmol) and 4-(3-bromo-phenyl)-thiazol-2-ylamine (214 mg, 0.841 mmol) afforded 15-methyl-N-[4-(3-bromo-phenyl)-thiazol-2-yl]-]-8-nitrotetracyclo[6.6.2.0^(2,7).0^(9,14)]hexadeca-2,4,6,9,11,13-hexaene-15-carboxamide (176 mg, 49% yield). LC/MS (m/z 548.08 (M+H)⁺); HPLC Rt: 4.385 min.

Step 2

In a similar manner to Example 1, Step 1, the Suzuki coupling reaction of the bromide from Step 1 of Example 2 (40 mg, 0.073 mmol) and pyridin-3-yl-boronic acid (23 mg, 0.18 mmol) afforded Example 34 as a white solid (31.6 mg, 79% yield). LC/MS (m/z 545.19(M+H)⁺); HPLC Rt: 3.72 min.

Example 35

In a similar manner described in Example 33, Step 1, the Suzuki coupling reaction of the bromide from Step 1 of Example 34 (30 mg, 0.055 mmol) and pyridin-4-yl-boronic acid (17 mg, 0.14 mmol) afforded Example 35 as a white solid (25.4 mg, 85% yield). LC/MS (m/z 545.17(M+H)⁺); HPLC Rt: 3.48 min.

Example 36

In a similar manner to Step 1 of Example 33, the Suzuki coupling reaction of the bromide from Step 1 of Example 34 (30 mg, 0.055 mmol) and [3-(tert-butoxycarbonylamino-methyl)-phenyl]-phosphonic acid (34 mg, 0.14 mmol) yielded the BOC-protected product. It was treated with trifluoroacetic acid (0.9 ml) at 0° C. and stirred at room temperature for 12 hours. The reaction was evaporated and purified by prep HPLC to afford Example 36 (TFA salt) as a white solid (11 mg, 29% yield). LC/MS (m/z 573.24(M+H)⁺); HPLC Rt: 3.55 min

Example 37

Step 1

To a solution of acetylguaniidne (6.07 g, 60 mmol) in DMF (40 ml) was added a solution of 2-bromo-1-(3-bromo-phenyl)-ethanone in DMF (20 ml) dropwise at room temperature. The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature overnight. The reaction was taken into ethyl acetate and water. After separation, the organic layer was washed with brine, dried (MgSO4) and concentrated to give the crude product. The crude product was purified via flash column (silica gel, 3% methanol in chloroform with 0.3% NH4OH) to give N-[4-(3-bromo-phenyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl]-acetamide as a white solid (2.03 g, 36% yield). The acetamide (1.5 g, 5.38 mmol) was dissolved in a solution of 40 ml methanol and 20 ml water. The concentrated hydrochloric acid was added slowly. The reaction was heated at 86° C. for 4 hours. The reaction was concentrated to provide the HCI salt of 4-(3-bromo-phenyl)-1H-imidazol-2-ylamine (1.276 g, 86% yield). LC/MS (m/z 2378.05, 240.06 (M+H)⁺); HPLC Rt: 1.86 min.

Step 2

In a similar manner to Example 33, Step 1, the Suzuki coupling reaction of the bromide from Step 1 of Example 37 (126 mg, 0.31 mmol) and pyridin-3-yl-boronic acid (96 mg, 0.78 mmol) afforded 4-(3-pyridin-3-yl-phenyl)-1H-imidazol-2-ylamine, after washing with 1N aqueous sodium hydroxide, as an off-white solid (51 mg, 69% yield). LC/MS (m/z 237.2 (M+H)⁺); HPLC Rt: 0.81 min.

Step 3

In a similar manner to Example 33, Step 2, the coupling reaction of 15-methyl-8-nitrotetracyclo[6.6.2.0^(2,7).0^(9,14)]hexadeca-2,4,6,9,11,13-hexaene-15-carboxylic acid (50 mg, 0.163 mmol) and 4-(3-pyridin-3-yl-phenyl)-1H-imidazol-2-ylamine (50 mg, 0.212 mmol) afforded Example 37 (TFA salt) as a white solid (27 mg, 31% yield). LC/MS (m/z 528.3 (M+H)⁺); HPLC Rt: 2.90 min.

Example 38

Step 1

In a similar manner to Example 33, Step 1, the Suzuki coupling reaction of the bromide from Step 1 of Example 37 (111 mg, 0.41 mmol) and (2-methoxy-pyridin-3-yl)-boronic acid (125 mg, 0.817 mmol) afforded the 4-[3-(2-methoxy-pyridin-3-yl)-phenyl]-1H-imidazol-2-ylamine, after passing through an SPE ion-exchange plug, as a colorless glass (37.5 mg, 34.4% yield). LC/MS (m/z 267.0 (M+H)⁺); HPLC Rt: 2.2 min.

Step 2

In a similar manner to Example 33, Step 2, the coupling reaction of 15-methyl-8-nitrotetracyclo[6.6.2 .0^(2,7).0^(9,14)]hexadeca-2,4,6,9,11,13-hexaene-15-carboxylic acid (43 mg, 0.14 mmol) and 4-[3-(2-methoxy-pyridin-3-yl)-phenyl]-1H-imidazol-2-ylamine (37.5 mg, 0.14 mmol) afforded Example 38 (TFA salt) as a white solid (16 mg, 20% yield). LC/MS (m/z 558.3 (M+H)⁺); HPLC Rt: 3.665 min 

1. A compound having the structure of formula (I) or (II):

or a stereoisomer thereof, a tautomers thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein: Q is selected from NH, O, and S; Y is aryl or heteroaryl; Z is H, C₂₋₆alkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, halo, or alkoxy; R is hydrogen, cyano, hydroxy, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkoxy, aryl, arylalkyl, aryloxy, heteroaryl, cycloheteroalkyl, heteroarylalkyl, cycloheteroalkylalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, cyanoalkyl, aminoalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, aryloxyalkyl, or hydroxyaryl; R¹ is hydrogen or C₁₋₄alkyl; R² is hydrogen, halogen, hydroxy, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkoxy, aryl, aryloxy, heteroaryl, cycloheteroalkyl, heteroarylalkyl, cycloheteroalkylalkyl, cyano, heteroarylaminocarboyl, cycloheteroalkylcarbonyl, cyanoalkyl, alkylaminoalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, hydroxyaryl, aryloxyalkyl, nitro, NR^(e)R^(f), CHO, CO₂ alkyl, hydroxyaryl, aryloxyalkyl, CONR^(e)R^(f), CH₂NR^(e)R^(f), CO₂H, CH₂OH, CH₂NHC(O)R^(e)R^(f), NHCO^(g), NHCONR^(e)R^(f), NHSO_(p)R^(g), —SO₂NR^(e)R^(f), NR^(e)SO₂NR^(e)R^(f), or NR^(e)SO_(p)R^(g); R^(a) is hydrogen, halogen, hydroxy, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkoxy, aryl, aryloxy, heteroaryl, cycloheteroalkyl, heteroarylalkyl, cycloheteroalkylalkyl, cyano, heteroarylaminocarboyl, cycloheteroalkylcarbonyl, cyanoalkyl, alkylaminoalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, hydroxyaryl, aryloxyalkyl, alkyloxyalkyl, nitro, NR^(e)R^(f), CHO, CO₂ alkyl, hydroxyaryl, aryloxyalkyl, CONR^(e)R^(f), CH₂NR^(e)R^(f), CO₂H, CH₂OH, CH₂NR^(e)R^(f), NHCOR^(g), NHCONR^(e)R^(f) or NHSO₂R^(g); R^(b) is hydrogen, halogen, hydroxy, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkoxy, aryl, aryloxy, heteroaryl, cycloheteroalkyl, heteroarylalkyl, cycloheteroalkylalkyl, cyano, heteroarylaminocarbonyl, cycloheteroalkylcarbonyl, cyanoalkyl, alkylaminoalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, hydroxyaryl, aryloxyalkyl, alkyloxyalkyl, nitro, NR^(e)R^(f), CHO, CO₂ alkyl, hydroxyaryl, aryloxyalkyl, CONR^(e)R^(f), CH₂NR^(e)R^(f), CO₂H, CH₂OH, CH₂NR^(e)R^(f), NHCOR^(g), NHCONR^(e)R^(f), or NHSO₂R^(g); R^(c) and R^(d) are independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkoxy, NR^(e)R^(f), aryl, hydroxy, aryloxy, heteroaryl, cycloheteroalkyl, heteroarylalkyl, cycloheteroalkylalkyl, hydroxyaryl, and aryloxyalkyl; R^(e) and R^(f) are independently selected from hydrogen, aryl, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkoxy, amino, substituted amino, alkoxyalkyl, alkylaminoalkyl, dialkylaminoalkyl, heteroaryl, cycloheteroalkyl, heteroarylalkyl, cycloheteroalkylalkyl, cycloalkyl, and cycloalkylalkyl, provided R^(e) and R^(f) are not both alkoxy or amino; or R^(e) and R^(f) can be taken together with the nitrogen to which they are attached to form a 5-, 6- or 7-membered heteroaryl or cycloheteroalkyl ring which contains 1, 2 or 3 hetero atoms which can be N, O or S; R^(g) is selected from hydrogen, aryl, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkoxy, amino, substituted amino, alkoxyalkyl, alkylaminoalkyl, dialkylaminoalkyl, heteroaryl, cycloheteroalkyl, heteroarylalkyl, cycloheteroalkylalkyl, cycloalkyl and cycloalkylalkyl; the A ring represents a saturated, partially saturated or unsaturated 6-membered carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring; and the B ring represents a saturated, partially saturated or unsaturated 6-membered carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring.
 2. The compound as defmed in claim 1, or a stereoisomer thereof, a tautomer thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein the A ring has the structure

and the B ring has the structure

wherein X₁, X₂, X₃ and X₄, are independently selected from CH, CH₂, CHR¹⁵, CR¹⁶, CR¹⁶R¹⁷, N, NH, NR¹⁸, O and S; and X₅, X₆, X₇ and X₈ are independently selected from CH, CH₂, CHR¹⁹, CR²⁰, CR²⁰R²¹, N, NH, NR²², O and S, wherein R¹⁵, R¹⁶, R¹⁷, R¹⁸, R¹⁹, R²⁰, R²¹ and R²² are independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, cycloalkyl, heteroaryl, and cycloheteroalkyl, wherein each of said A ring and said B ring contains at most two nitrogen ring atoms, at most two oxygen ring atom and at most one sulfur ring atom.
 3. The compound as defined in claim 2, or a stereoisomer thereof, a tautomer thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, having the formula wherein the A and B rings are carbocyclic unsaturated 6-membered rings.
 4. The compound as defined in claim 3, or a stereoisomer thereof, a tautomer thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein: R is H or alkyl; and R^(a) and R^(b) are independently selected from hydrogen, halogen, alkyl, cyano, nitro, amino, formyl, CO₂alkyl, CONR^(e)R^(f), and CH₂NR^(e)R^(f).
 5. The compound as defined in claim 4 or a stereoisomer thereof, a tautomer thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein: R² is hydrogen, chloro, bromo, fluoro, hydroxy, C₁₋₄alkyl, cyano, nitro, or NH₂; and R^(a), R^(c) and R^(d) are each hydrogen.
 6. A compound as defined in claim 1, or a stereoisomer thereof, a tautomer thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein: R is C₁₋₄alkyl; and R^(b) is hydrogen, halo, CN, NO₂, NH₂, or CHO.
 7. A compound according to claim 1, having the structure of the formula (IA):

or a stereoisomer thereof, a tautomer thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein Z is H, cycloalkyl, C₂₋₆alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, halo, or alkoxy.
 8. A compound according to claim 7, or a stereoisomer thereof, a tautomer thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein: R is C₁₋₄alkyl; Z is a cycloalkyl, aryl, or heteroaryl ring, where each ring is substituted by one to three groups selected from R³; R³ is independently at each occurrence (i) H or halo; or (ii) alkyl, alkenyl, OR⁵, aryl, and heteroaryl, each group of which is substituted by one to two groups selected from R⁴; R⁴ is H, phenyl, S(O)₂R⁵ NHC(O)R⁵, N(R⁵)₂; R⁵ is independently at each occurrence H or C₁₋₄ alkyl; and R^(b) is cyano or nitro.
 9. A compound according to claim 8, or a stereoisomer thereof, a tautomer thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein Z is selected from:


10. A compound according to claim 1 having the structure of the formula (IIA):

or a stereoisomer thereof, a tautomer thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein Y is aryl or heteroaryl.
 11. A compound according to claim 10, or a stereoisomer thereof, a tautomer thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein: R is C₁₋₄alkyl; and Q is S or NH.
 12. A compound according to claim 11, or a stereoisomer thereof, a tautomer thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein: Y is a phenyl or pyridyl ring, each group of which is substituted by one to three groups selection from R⁶; R⁶ is H, aminoalkyl, or alkoxy; and R^(b) is nitro.
 13. A compound according to claim 12, or a stereoisomer thereof, a tautomer thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein Y is selected from


14. A compound according to claim 10, or a stereoisomer thereof, a tautomer thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R is methyl and Q is S.
 15. A compound according to claim 10, or a stereoisomer thereof, a tautomer thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R is methyl and Q is NH.
 16. A compound as defined in claim 7 having the structure

(ii) a stereoisomer, tautomer, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of (i) thereof.
 17. A compound as defined in claim 10 having the structure (i)

(ii) a stereoisomer, tautomer, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of (i) thereof.
 18. A method of treating an inflammatory or autoimmune disease disease or disorder which is associated with the expression product of a gene whose transcription is stimulated or repressed by glucocorticoid receptors, or a method of treating a disease or disorder associated with AP-1- and/or NF-κB-induced transcription, or a method for treating a disease or disorder associated with AP-1 and/or NF-κB dependent gene expression, wherein the disease or disorder is associated with the expression of a gene under the regulatory control of AP-1 and/or NF-κB, the method comprises administering to a patient in need of treatment a therapeutically effective amount of a compound as defined in claim 1 wherein the disease or disorder is selected from transplant rejection of kidney, liver, heart, lung, pancreas, bone marrow, cornea, small bowel, skin allografts, skin homografts, heart valve xenograft, serum sickness, and graft vs. host disease, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, multiple sclerosis, Type I and Type II diabetes, juvenile diabetes, obesity, asthma, inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, pyoderma gangrenum, systemic lupus erythematosis, myasthenia gravis, psoriasis, dermatitis, dermatomyositis; eczema, seborrhoea, pulmonary inflammation, eye uveitis, hepatitis, Grave's disease, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, autoimmune thyroiditis, Behcet's or Sjorgen's syndrome, pernicious or immunohaemolytic anaemia, atherosclerosis, Addison's disease, idiopathic adrenal insufficiency, autoimmune polyglandular disease, glomerulonephritis, scleroderma, morphea, lichen planus, viteligo, alopecia areata, autoimmune alopecia, autoimmune hypopituatarism, Guillain-Barre syndrome, and alveolitis; contact hypersensitivity, delayed-type hypersensitivity, contact dermatitis, uticaria,skin allergies, respiratory allergies, hayfever, allergic rhinitis and gluten-sensitive enteropathy, osteoarthritis, acute pancreatis, chronic pancreatitis, acute respiratory distress syndrome, Sezary's syndrome, restenosis, stenosis and artherosclerosis, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, nonsuppurative thyroiditis, hypercalcemia associated with cancer, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, Ankylosing spondylitis, acute and subacute bursitis, acute nonspecific tenosynovitis, acute gouty arthritis, post-traumatic osteroarthritis, synovitis of osteoarthritis, epicondylitis, acute rheumatic carditis, pemphigus, bullous dermatitis herpetitformis, severe erythema multiforme, exfoliative dermatitis, psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis, seasonal or perennial allergic rhinitis, bronchial asthma, contact dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, drug hypersensitivity reactions, allergic conjuncivitis, keratitis, herpes zoster ophthalmicus, iritis and iridocyclitis, chorioretinitis, optic neuritis, symptomatic sarcoidosis, fulminating or disseminated pulmonary tuberculosis chemotherapy, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura in adults, secondary thrombocytopenia in adults, acquired (autoimmune) hemolytic anemia, leukemias and lymphomas in adults, acute leukemia of childhood, ulcerative colitis, regional enteritis, Crohn's disease, Sjogren's syndrome, autoimmune vasculitis, multiple sclerosis, myasthenia gravis, sepsis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
 19. The method as defmed in claim 18 wherein the disease or disorder is selected from transplant rejection, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, multiple sclerosis, Type I diabetes, asthma, inflammatory bowel disease, systemic lupus erythematosis, psoriasis and chronic pulmonary disease.
 20. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound as defmed in claim 1 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier therefor. 